Everyone In Life Needs A Friend Like This

Numbers 22:27-33 - When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.  And 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?" Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." 
  
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live." NASU 

• One Who Can See Objectively 

How many times have we been so blind to something that others could see very clearly? We couldn't see a friend lying to us, but others saw it from a mile away. 
  
We couldn't see this purchase was going to end up being a loss of money, our parents did and they were not able to talk us out of buying it. 
  
Balaam couldn't see the Angel of the Lord, but his donkey could see the Angel. The Angel had his sword drawn and was ready to use it, but the donkey saved Balaam's life by lying down under him. 
  
How was he repaid for saving Balaam's life? Balaam in a fit of rage beat his donkey with a stick. 
  
Hopefully, this doesn't sound familiar? Hopefully, you have not lashed out at someone who was trying to help you. 
  
Did you know your best friend is going to be one who sees things objectively and will honestly share with you their unbiased opinion? 

• The Lord Gets Involved 

The Lord opens the mouth of the donkey and allows him to speak to Balaam. The donkey says, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"
  
His donkey wants to know why he has been treated so harshly for saving his life? 
  
Have you ever treated a friend harshly for telling you the truth?  You couldn't see what he/she was seeing because you didn't want to see it. You were making a decision based on your subjectivity. 
  
The Lord opens the eyes of Balaam and allows him to see the Angel of the Lord with His drawn sword. The Angel informs him if it hadn't been for his donkey He would have killed him. 

• Are You Listening To God? 

I would like to make a suggestion here: make it a part of your prayer life to ask God to open your eyes to see His will and what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go. 
  
Balaam was not listening to God and it almost cost him his life. What about us? Are we listening to God or the people He sends to speak with us? 
  
Is God trying to get our attention? 
  
God used Balaam's donkey to speak to him. Who is God trying to use to speak to us? 
  
I would like to share some words of wisdom from the book of Proverbs 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 
  
We all need a friend who will tell us the truth even though it hurts for it is better than being lied to by so-called friends. The lie may make you feel good at the time but it will bring pain that could have been avoided. 
  
Think About This: 
  
"When a person with experience meets a person with money, the person with experience will get the money. And the person with the money will get the experience." -  Leonard Lauder 

Stay Pumped, 

Gary A. Serago  

Minister of God's Word