SUNDAY - 6TH MARCH, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
BORNE NOT IN VAIN
READ Numbers 22
Numbers 22:33, KJV
"And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive."
This is why you must fear because no one is bigger in being punished. A bigger reason why evil doers must fear. The sword is not borne in vain.
The way of Balaam is perverted before the Lord as he travels to curse Israel as requested by Balak, king of Moab. God stood an adversary against him by an angel. The angel is the kind that draws a sword. He is a warrior angel. The sword represents judgement which could be administered at the trespassing of Balaam but thanks to his ass who saw the angel with drawn sword three times and avoided him with fear, a great turning away twice and lying low of total immobility the third time. Despite the fact that Balaam was in disobedience, the angel at appearance didn't punish him for that immediately but waits and waits even for those three times. That shows the long suffering of God. The angel would have consequently killed him if the ass had collided with the angel on any of those three occasions since he (Balaam) couldn't see the angel.
On the last occasion that the ass saw and fear, the ass is maltreated because of the ignorance of the prophet. God opens the mouth of the ass and consequently the eyes of the prophet to now see the angel with the fiery drawn sword which could have punished his disobedience since but was being reluctant, giving a chance of discovery and repentance. The angel after being discovered by Balaam who was shocked seeing it told Balaam "I would have killed you and spare your ass if not that she saw these three times and turned away."
Don't think the sword in the hand of that angel is for decoration. Never assume that angel is a bull dog with teeth but with barks only and no bites. The angel has told Balaam what would have happened if the ass had not seen him as to avoid colliding with him those three times. It would have been Balaam's body on the ground. That is, if the ass had been blind starting from the very first occasion and had collided with the angel, the angel on that first occasion would have been left with no option but to use the sword on Balaam. Only that the ass kept avoiding that punishment because of the vision she could see. It takes a prudent man to foresee the evil and hide.
You must know that God has a sword and can weave it to punish evil doers. On earth and in different human communities, God's authority has been delegated to individuals who on His behalf bear the sword. Don't think the government is impotent. Don't break laws to try or experience the arm of the law. It is always of justice and strength.
Romans 13:3-4, KJV
"3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil".
Rulers are terror to evil works. Evil doers must hear and shudder. The sword they bear is for administration of justice and never think for once it's borne in vain. If you keep pushing and pushing against the codes of conducts or laws of the land where you are - breaking and taunting it, soonest, like that angel said " you'll be punished for your disobedience ". Offenders do face the wrath of the law/sword!
There's always a drawn sword. It represents the readiness of the government to punish all disobedience. So, remain in completion of obedience to God and to delegated human authorities as this year ends and as we peep into another. Doing so qualifies you for praise and a reward instead. May all this your years of obedience not be made nought by just one act of disobedience. May you still be qualified for the praise.
PRAYER: Help me to have completion of obedience. Give me a vision that'll protect me from future evil. I won't trespass as I receive my praise.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25
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