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Protected by God

5/18/2021

16 Comments

 
Protected by God
This is a breakout post from our 27-day devotional, Come and Gather: Family Time With God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather. You'll find this post featured in Part Two: Days 6-10 A Walk Through God’s Word of Gather.
“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’ And Balaam said to the donkey, ‘Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.’ And the donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?’ And he said, ‘No’” Numbers 22:28-30
Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to do what you think you want to do? ​
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Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe, just maybe, God is placing obstacles in your path for your own protection? Such is the case in the life of the prophet Balaam. Balak, king of the Moabites, was worried about the coming Israelites so he sent for the prophet to come pronounce a curse on the wanderers from Egypt. ​
The news was spreading fast about what was happening to the nations as the children of Israel moved through the land and Balak was hoping to be able to avoid becoming another statistic. God told Balaam not to go with the princes sent by Balak (Numbers 22:12). Balak, not to be discouraged, had sent a second, more important, group of princes to repeat the request. Balaam again, asked God what he should do. God told him to go, but when he did God’s anger was kindled because he went (Numbers 22: 22). Why? God had already told him he should not go, however Balaam asked again the second time and God allowed him to exercise his free will.
There is a difference between the directive will of God and the permissive will of God. It is a wise child of God who can tell the difference and follow the directions God has given. Balaam was not so wise. God is longsuffering and gracious and used Balaam’s faithful donkey to protect him from danger. God placed an angel of judgment in the way. 

The donkey saw the danger, but Balaam was oblivious. How often we are just like Balaam— completely oblivious? Three times the donkey tried to take Balaam out of the way of the danger and Balaam proceeded to chastise, complain and physically abuse the faithful beast. Often, God gives us faithful friends, parents or pastors to warn us of impending danger. Far too often, however, our eyes are closed to the danger, our will is strong and frustration sets in. May our eyes be open to the danger and our hearts receptive to the leading of the LORD.
How have you personally felt God's protection over your life?
Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
​Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut

Come and Gather: Family Time with God

Introducing Come and Gather: Family Time with God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Gather is a lovely, 35-page, daily devotional centered around families enjoying time together with God and each other
Come and Gather: Family Time With God

This 27-day devotional is divided into 3 parts: ​

Part One: Days 1-5, is written specifically with husbands and wives in mind. In this part of Gather, husbands and wives will explore 5 Signs of a Functional Family.
5 Signs of a Functional Family includes:
  1. An Attitude of Service
  2. Intimacy Between the Husband and Wife
  3. Husbands Who Are Loving Leaders
  4. Parents Who Teach and Train
  5. Children Who Honor and Obey​
Part Two: Days 6-20, is written with the whole family in mind. It's A Walk Through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we will discuss subjects like God's mercy and protection, being humble, dealing with difficulties, having a teachable spirit, dependence on God, and much more.

Part Three: Days 21-27, is a Men of God Character Study. We'll learn character traits that every Christian should strive to demonstrate in their life straight from characters in God's Word. 

At the end of Gather, you'll find a place for your family to record specific prayer requests. I love being specific with my prayer request and seeing God answer in specific ways. Recording the answers, as well as the requests, is a great way to help your children see God working in your lives
grab your copy of come and gather over in our little Etsy shop

Please Share
16 Comments
Jerralea Winn Miller link
5/18/2021 10:07:15 am

"Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe, just maybe, God is placing obstacles in your path for your own protection?" Wow, this is a word for me today! Thank you for sharing it.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/18/2021 07:42:32 pm

For me as well, Jerralea! Sometimes, the "obstacles" are actually protective fences. Other times, they can be opportunities.

Reply
Michele Morin link
5/18/2021 12:27:37 pm

This makes so much sense and alerts me.ro the importance of discernment in the life of a believer.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/18/2021 07:44:43 pm

Discernment in the life of a believer is invaluable!

Reply
Barbara Harper link
5/18/2021 01:17:54 pm

I need to remind myself that God uses obstacles for our protection when I am frustrated in getting somewhere or getting something done.

My most vivid experience of this was when my family moved, and my new high school was extremely clique-ish. I had never had trouble making friends in school, but suddenly I was very much on the outside. Years later, I found out some of the unwholesome things those kids were into. It was God's mercy that kept me out of their circles.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/18/2021 07:45:55 pm

I love that testimony, Barbara. Timeless!

Reply
Lisa notes link
5/18/2021 02:41:51 pm

Looking backwards, I can often see obstacles that turned out to be blessings, and I thank God for them! I can't always spot them in the moment though. ;) Thank you, God, for grace.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/18/2021 07:49:02 pm

"Obstacles that turn out to be blessings" <– Sounds like a blog pots! Difficult to spot in the here and now, but oh how thankful we will be for them when in the future we can look back with amazement. Just one more reason for trusting God fully! :)

Reply
Susan M Shipe link
5/19/2021 12:31:34 pm

I call those "roadblocks." God's Protection.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
1/18/2024 04:40:46 am

Absolutely, Susan, "roadblocks" is a fitting term! God's protection often manifests in ways that may seem like obstacles at first, but they serve as divinely guided detours steering us away from harm and leading us to safety. Grateful for His watchful care on our journey!

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
5/19/2021 06:11:44 pm

I love this story from the Bible.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
1/18/2024 04:42:21 am

Lauren, it is indeed a powerful and uplifting story of mercy! The Bible is filled with such narratives that illuminate the boundless mercy and grace of our Creator. May the stories continue to inspire and encourage you on your journey of faith.

Reply
Mandy Farmer link
5/20/2021 03:30:59 pm

I have learned over the years that those roadblocks are actually the realy blessings in life. I have a post publishing this Sunday on that.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
1/18/2024 04:43:35 am

That's a wonderful perspective, Mancy!! It's amazing how what may seem like roadblocks at first can often turn out to be blessings in disguise. Looking forward to reading your post and gaining more insights on this topic. Blessings on your writing journey!

Reply
Paula Short link
5/21/2021 06:22:06 am

God's roadblocks in our life may be his redirection. Blessings.
~Selah~

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
1/18/2024 04:44:59 am

Absolutely, Paula, Selah! Sometimes what we perceive as roadblocks are indeed divine redirections leading us to something better or aligning us with God's perfect plan. May we always trust His guidance and embrace the blessings in His redirection.

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