Stopped in our Tracks

Based on Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:1-13

Sometimes, God decides to stop us in our tracks...at times, we are on the wrong path, or we are on a path that seems right to us, but we don't see the whole picture...we don't see the steps ahead...we don't see the need to change...so, God uses situations to stop and re-direct us!

"Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 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. And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord , I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again." Numbers 22:31‭-‬34.

God's ways are certainly not our ways! And He uses His interesting ways to get in our way when it's needed. Again, to stop us in our tracks! He did that to Balaam in order to remind him that he should follow God's lead in what to say to Balak, who was wanting Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam then says to Balak that he will only speak the words God puts in his mouth, just like God put words in his donkey's mouth earlier! Later we find out Balaam was able to bless Israel instead of cursing! All by refusing his ways and choosing God's way!

"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:6‭-‬9.

Sometimes, that track we are on is tradition...while traditions are not always bad, some of them can become distractions to God's plan. We can lose the point and meaning in our traditions sometimes, and only do them out of habit. We can't lose our hearts down the path of life, or it won't lead us where we should be...our whole heart needs to be invested & committed to God, every step of the way!