In what ways can we remain attentive to God's guidance in our lives? The Setting That Warns Us Numbers 22:33: “The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would surely have killed you by now, but I would have spared the donkey.” Balaam, a prophet-for-hire, was riding out to pronounce a curse for personal gain. God blocked the path with an angel. The donkey saw the danger Balaam missed, forcing him to stop. The incident reminds us that divine guidance is real, precise, and sometimes startlingly practical. Lessons From Balaam’s Misstep • Spiritual blindness can afflict even people who know God’s voice. • God in mercy provides repeated warnings (“three times”) before judgment falls. • The Lord may use humble, unexpected instruments (a donkey) to grab our attention. • Ignoring guidance can bring serious consequences; heeding it brings rescue. Ways to Stay Spiritually Alert 1. Expect God to Speak • Isaiah 30:21—“Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way…’ ” • John 10:27—“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” Cultivate a daily expectancy that God is active, guiding through His Word and by His Spirit. 2. Saturate Your Mind With Scripture • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Regular reading, memorizing, and meditating keep spiritual senses sharp. 3. Submit Your Plans • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” Before decisions, consciously yield plans, ambitions, and schedules to Him. 4. Welcome Godly Counsel • Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Sometimes the “donkey” is a faithful friend, spouse, or mentor who spots what we can’t see. 5. Pay Attention to Providence • Closed doors, persistent obstacles, or sudden opportunities can be divine traffic signals. • Keep asking, “Is God redirecting me?” rather than forcing your own agenda. 6. Cultivate a Sensitive Conscience • Hebrews 3:15—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Quick obedience keeps the heart soft; delayed obedience dulls spiritual hearing. 7. Practice Stillness • 1 Kings 19:12—Elijah heard God in a gentle whisper. Incorporate moments of silence—away from screens and noise—to discern that whisper. 8. Act on What You Already Know • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Obedience in small, clear matters prepares us to recognize subtler guidance. Putting It Into Practice • Begin each day with a brief surrender: “Lord, guide my steps today.” • Keep a journal of nudges, verses, and providential events—watch patterns emerge. • When resistance surfaces (internal unrest, repeating roadblocks), pause and ask God what He’s saying. • Affirm His right to redirect, even through the lowliest messenger. Encouragement to Finish Well Balaam’s donkey saved his life; God’s guidance saves ours from unseen perils. Staying attentive is not a once-for-all achievement but a daily walk of humble listening, trusting that the One who loved us enough to warn Balaam will faithfully direct our paths today. |
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