Have you ever played the game Simon Says? I used to love playing this game with the kids at camp when I was a counselor. It's a fun game that requires players to listen and follow directions. You designate one person as Simon who will be the leader and the leader gives commands to the other players. If the command starts with Simon Says, the players must follow that instruction but if the command does not begin with Simon Says and the players follow the instruction they will be out of the game.
Who knew that a simple childhood game could emulate the way we are expected to follow instructions from God? I mean think about it. There has been times when God has instructed me to walk towards a door but never told me to actually open the door; however, since he instructed me to go towards the door, I automatically opened the door under the assumption that God wanted me to open the door since he directed me towards the door.
Who knew that a simple childhood game could emulate the way we are expected to follow instructions from God? I mean think about it. There has been times when God has instructed me to walk towards a door but never told me to actually open the door; however, since he instructed me to go towards the door, I automatically opened the door under the assumption that God wanted me to open the door since he directed me towards the door.
How many of us do this, start out following instructions but somehow as things move along and we progress within our journey, we lose sight of the actual instruction that God is providing for us to follow? This month, I believe that God wanted me to write about the importance of following the leader (God). As we begin to encounter new phases of life, following God’s instruction will become more demanding and we must be certain to make sure that we are doing so at all times.
In Numbers 22 NIV, the Israelites were approaching Moab to occupy the land and Balak, king of Moab was terrified because he had seen all that the Israelites did to the Amorites. Balak swiftly sent messengers to summon a man by the name of Balaam so that he may come and place a curse on the Israelite people. When the messengers arrived, Balaam told them to spend the night so that he may report back to them the next morning with the answer that the Lord provided before he made a decision.
In Numbers 22 NIV, the Israelites were approaching Moab to occupy the land and Balak, king of Moab was terrified because he had seen all that the Israelites did to the Amorites. Balak swiftly sent messengers to summon a man by the name of Balaam so that he may come and place a curse on the Israelite people. When the messengers arrived, Balaam told them to spend the night so that he may report back to them the next morning with the answer that the Lord provided before he made a decision.
When Balaam went to God and told him about the request, God instructed Balaam not to go with the messengers and place a curse on the Israelites because they were blessed people. Once Balaam receives these instructions from God, he tells the messengers that the Lord refuses to let him go and sends them back to Balak.
Upon receiving Balaam’s refusal, Balak sends more Moabite officials over to persuade Balaam to come place a curse on the Israelite people. Balaam tells the officials to spend the night so that he may find out what the Lord will tell him to do. That night, God instructs Balaam to go with the men who have come to summon him but to only do what God instructs him to do. The next morning Balaam got on his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.
Upon receiving Balaam’s refusal, Balak sends more Moabite officials over to persuade Balaam to come place a curse on the Israelite people. Balaam tells the officials to spend the night so that he may find out what the Lord will tell him to do. That night, God instructs Balaam to go with the men who have come to summon him but to only do what God instructs him to do. The next morning Balaam got on his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.
22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” 29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. 32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” 34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” 35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
As God continues to elevate you this year, your light will begin to shine so bright that people will have no choice but to acknowledge the light within you. When this happens, people will randomly summon you and request favors that you have never been asked to do previously. In Numbers 22:6 NIV, Balak tells us why this will happen when he blatantly states: "...For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed". In other words, as you grow people will begin to recognize your God given power associated with your gifts, skills, talents, demeanor, speech, etc.
It is up to you to carefully listen to God and pay close attention to the instructions that He will tell you to do so that you stay in alignment with God and always following Him every step along the way. This month, before making an irrational decision that seems like it may make logical sense to you or the average mind, truly take a moment to step back and ask yourself, am I following the leader (God)?
It is up to you to carefully listen to God and pay close attention to the instructions that He will tell you to do so that you stay in alignment with God and always following Him every step along the way. This month, before making an irrational decision that seems like it may make logical sense to you or the average mind, truly take a moment to step back and ask yourself, am I following the leader (God)?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank you. Thank you for waking us up and blessing us with another day of life so that we may serve you. Thank you for blessing us with distinct gifts, skills, and talents. Thank you for always directing our paths, protecting and covering us, warning us, and believing in us in spite of our mistakes. We ask for forgiveness for all of the times that we have unknowingly overlooked your warnings or disregarded your instruction. We pray that as we move forward throughout the year of 2016 that you open up our ear-gates so that we may hear your instruction clearly and it may resonate with us every step along the way. Strengthen our ability to tune out the distractions of the world so that we may focus in on you. Equip us with a keen ability to follow our leader at all times. With complete love and adoration toward you Lord, we pray this prayer in Jesus name, Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you. Thank you for waking us up and blessing us with another day of life so that we may serve you. Thank you for blessing us with distinct gifts, skills, and talents. Thank you for always directing our paths, protecting and covering us, warning us, and believing in us in spite of our mistakes. We ask for forgiveness for all of the times that we have unknowingly overlooked your warnings or disregarded your instruction. We pray that as we move forward throughout the year of 2016 that you open up our ear-gates so that we may hear your instruction clearly and it may resonate with us every step along the way. Strengthen our ability to tune out the distractions of the world so that we may focus in on you. Equip us with a keen ability to follow our leader at all times. With complete love and adoration toward you Lord, we pray this prayer in Jesus name, Amen.