GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 28 (cont’d)~ ~Psalm 145:21 ~ ~ “My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.”

More examples of when God used His created things for His purposes:

Nebuchadnezzar was cursed because of his pride and greed, and he grazed like a cow for seven years. His whole body structure changed. His hair and nails growing out accordingly, he couldn’t reason or talk His digestive system had to change also, and he lived in the field with the other cows for seven years, until God restored him to his throne. Every molecule and cell obeys Him perfectly!!!

Jesus rode a donkey, a donkey foal, to be exact, when He rode through the city on what we call Palm Sunday. He told His disciples just where to find this little donkey, and, of course, there he was. The Word tells us that no one had ridden this little guy before, but Jesus got on, and he carried Him without incident, right through the yelling crowds, with waving palm branches, no doubt, hitting him in the face and children running up to him, petting him or slapping him. They laid out clothing and palm branches for him to walk on—very frightening!! This was a young, inexperienced animal, probably taken from his mother not long ago, but he obediently trusted his Creator/King/rider even in this strange and scary situation, for whatever he should do, knowing that He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to him. I’m sure Jesus communicated that very thing to him as they went along. After all, that little guy was important to Jesus at that moment in time, and I’m thinking that he knew it.

There was another famous donkey in the Bible too, back in the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 22. Balaam was a prophet of God, and Balak wanted him to curse Israel. He said He could not go with them and do that, even though they came back twice and offered him much money. The last time, he told them to wait until morning so he can see what God says now. God told him to go with them, but not to speak anything except the exact words He gives him. He saddled his donkey and left. But God knew his heart, and that the silver and gold offered would entice him at the moment of decision, to speak other than God’s words. So the Angel of the Lord—(pre-incarnation of Jesus) stood in front of the donkey on the road. He was a powerful vision with His sword drawn, standing firm and tall. The donkey saw Him, but Balaam didn’t, and when she saw Him, she casually turned and went into the adjacent field. Balaam, not knowing why she did that, beat her and brought her back to the road. Now the Angel had moved, and stood where there were two walls by the road. The donkey tried to get alongside the Angel, with Balaam beating her continuously, no doubt, because they were losing time. But it was so narrow that when she went close to the wall, she crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall, and he beat her even harder. Now the Angel moved to a spot that was so narrow she couldn’t get through at all, so she laid down in front of the Angel, with Balaam still on her back. We can only imagine how angry Balaam was by now, so he got off and beat her like never before, because he still didn’t see the Angel. She wasn’t frightened of the bright, powerful Being, she was respectful and obedient. She obviously knew Who it was, and worshiped in her way. But this was between the Angel and Balaam. The Word of God tells us what happened next:

28 “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”

30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?”

And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”

35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”

I find this story very interesting. Many times we see that animals can discern spiritual things when people can’t. Are we too preoccupied with the things of this world, the seeking of riches? Or is it sin that blinds us? Could be either or both, but one thing is sure…… Creation is simply open to hearing from their Creator and Master, and unbelief and pride, which are usually the downfall of mankind, never enters their minds. We should be listening even better than the creatures. He didn’t die to save them from their sins, only us!!!! We are the ones created in His image, not them. Yet, many times nature obeys better than us! We should be greatly humbled and convicted!

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25)

It’s interesting to think about what some of those possibilities are, especially concerning His creation, which He loves.

And, just think, He loves us SO MUCH MORE!!!

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