When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road (Numbers 22:23).
Oh Lord our heavenly Father, how good You are to us! What an assurance we have that God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19)
Your word tells us, O God, that evil is real—evil is powerful. And daily on our journey, we see undeniable evidence of the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).
Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13 - ESV). We lift that prayer to You, faithful God, trusting in Your deliverance. You are the God who promised His people, "They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 1:19).
We see in this narrative about Balaam (Numbers 22) that You are indeed with us. You go before Your own and fight for those who are Yours (Deuteronomy 1:30). You thwart the plans of those who plot against Your people.
Lord, You know the time and the place where supernatural intervention is needed to safeguard Your people. You stopped Balaam short, directly arresting his evil intent, "I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before Me" (Numbers 22:32).
Thank You for Your protection on our journey—for Your presence on the long road. Thank you that no matter the strength of the whip in evil hands, no matter the attempts to persist through force and cruelty, You create an impasse for evil—a narrow place where there [is] no room to turn, either to the right or to the left (Numbers 22:26).
We forge ahead in Your strength and power. Thank You for all the narrow paths where You stand, with walls on both sides (Numbers 22:24). Thank You for all the "donkeys" You cause to balk, and to stall, and to even speak. Thank You for the angels on our road (Numbers 22:23)!
Lead on, O King Eternal, The day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home. Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong; And now, O King Eternal, We lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King Eternal, Till sin’s fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper The sweet amen of peace. For not with swords’ loud clashing, Nor roll of stirring drums; With deeds of love and mercy The heav’nly kingdom comes.
Lead on, O King Eternal, We follow, not with fears, For gladness breaks like morning Where’er Thy face appears. Thy cross is lifted o’er us, We journey in its light; The crown awaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might.
~ Ernest W. Shurtleff ~ Published 1888
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