Grace in the Faith Walk (Num 20-24)

I kept pondering my blog from yesterday, which basically showed us that our obedience to God demonstrates to the world that God is holy… worthy of trust. And that obedience has nothing to do with logic, rather trust.

As I pondered, I realized that God knows when He’s asking us to step out in faith that defies logic and my general sense was that when we do He extends grace to our struggles in the midst of it because we are walking in obedience. He understands us better than we do ourselves and He knows when it’s difficult for us. Today as I read Balaam’s prophecies (Numbers 22-24), I felt God confirmed my musings from yesterday.

Side note: does anyone else wonder how it is that when Balaam’s donkey speaks to him (Num 22:28-30) he calmly answers? Sorry, but if my dog started speaking English to me I’m pretty sure it would elicit a response! LOL 🙂

Anyhow, in Balaam’s 2nd prophecy (Num 23:18-24), he says a couple of things that stood out to me.

v19: God is not a man, that He should lie

This I believe wholeheartedly. And it is a wonderful reassurance because it means we can always believe what He says!

v21: He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel

What?! Hang on, just a few chapters ago (Num 16-17) the Israelites were rebelling against their authority! How is this possible? So I looked up this word wickedness in the Hebrew is amal, meaning mischief. Again, how can we reconcile these statements? God doesn’t lie, yet this appears not to be true.

Here’s what I think… and I could be wrong, but it is how I’m reconciling this. I think God knows us well. He knows how difficult it is for us sometimes when He asks us to do certain things… I think He honors the obedience and extends grace for the difficulties. Mind you, I don’t think He condones our little outbursts – like a good Father, He chastens us. But at the same time He extends grace… grace that covers. He honors the obedience.

So yes the Israelites had moments for which they were chastened, but yes, His grace covered that as they obeyed Him by being in the wilderness with Him… He saw no wickedness in them.

God, please help us to walk in obedience to You. Thank You for the grace You extend as we do. May our lives honor You.

Sent from my iPod

4 Replies to “Grace in the Faith Walk (Num 20-24)”

  1. Amen. We watched Veggie Tales’s Jonah movie today and they talked about their rationale for having a talking caterpillar project the wisdom of God to Jonah at the end of the movie. Part of it was Balaam’s donkey and that God spoke through an animal there. Have you seen it? Anyway, I am still surprised by how much God reveals Himself to me even through kid’s cartoon movies. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Wow this is good… despite our former darkness, he sees no stain. That is beautiful. He ever proves himself more merciful than I think I would be… and truly worthy of my trust. It’s an honor to obey a God who is proven and honest. He is good, not a deceitful thing about him.

    As for Sketch talking to you, I agree, that would certainly elicit a response. 🙂

  3. Pingback: Lunchtime Live: Faith in Trials (Again?!) – Dyed4you Ministries

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