There have been numerous times in my life when I was sure that particular endeavors, pursuit, interests, and relationships were God’s desired path for me. Because I felt so sure, whenever I encountered closed doors or roadblocks, I prayed vigorously against the work of the enemy. I rebuked the breakups, heart breaks, denials of jobs and different opportunities. In those times, I questioned why I was experiencing yet another roadblock? Why was Satan intentionally trying to block my blessings?
Of course, through out these ordeals I never once considered the alternative – that this was part of God’s master plan for my life. That this was yet another time that God would show me that He was all-sufficient, all-providing, all-knowing. During my junior year of college, I experienced what I thought at the time was a roadblock. I was notified that I no longer qualified for financial aid. I prayed against the work of the enemy, I rebuked the roadblock to my education. I never once considered that this could be a blessing for me later down the road (i.e. my loans, which I have the privilege of paying today, would be less the $8,000 cost of my senior year).
In Numbers 22:21-39, Balaam has a similar experience when he saddles his donkey for a journey that God initially told him not to take. Balaam’s donkey sees the angel blocking their path, however, Balaam does not see it. Initially, the angel ” stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides” Balaam proceeds to beat the donkey into submission.
Like Balaam, many of us try to navigate our own situations. We attempt to beat people and situations into submission. We push things, we insist and we are determined to force a green light. But the more Balaam beat the donkey, the more the angel hemmed Balaam in, the more his movement was restricted. In verse 26, we see that “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.”
Each time the angel got into position, it further restricted the donkey and Balaam from moving forward.” Many times we convince ourselves that God wants a certain person, a certain experience, a particular thing for us and we miss His signs, we miss His voice telling us to turn around and go another way.
What did it take for Balaam to see that this was not a roadblock, but indeed it was God’s intervention in his journey?
1. God opened his eyes (verse 31) – We have to constantly pray that God opens our eyes to see things in the spiritual realm and not simply the flesh. In the flesh, it’s all about the now, it’s about me, it’s about gratifying my self. In the spirit realm, it’s about the future, it’s about kingdom business, it’s about pleasing God.
Once his eyes were opened, Balaam’s response to this experience is one that we can all learn from. Instead of pouting, complaining, blaming the devil and everyone else, Balaam “bowed low and fell facedown” and admitted to the angel of the Lord in verse 34 “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.” He was willing to admit that he had been focused on the wrong things and that he was willing to get on the correct path.
As you travel the course of your life’s journey and experience roadblocks, use those moments to inquire of God. God is this what you want for me? Is there something you want to show me from this experience? If so, open the path for me. Is this where I should be heading? If not, close it and redirect my path. Ask the questions, and wait for the answers. Ask God to open your eyes to see the answer when it comes. But this cannot be done until I am certain that I trust the God has a good plan for me, that he wants to bring me to an expected end.
