Two years ago, we planned to take a Caribbean cruise with our daughter and her family. This would be the first big trip for three of our grandchildren out of the country and they were excited. Unfortunately, the Pandemic hit and our plans were put on hold when the cruise ship industry closed down due to safety concerns. No one knew what to expect, but happily, we received credit for another cruise in the future. Finally, this past month, we got to enjoy a lovely week with our family. The weather was beautiful and we were treated so kindly. Truthfully, it was worth the wait.
How often do we get busy making plans like this and then it falls through? I would venture too say that this happens to most of us at least at some point in life. The question always comes as to why things had to be put on hold. Of course, in this situation, we were happy to wait since no one knew what to expect. However, there are other occasions where we grumble and complain because it seemed that there was no good reason for our plans to be interrupted. Yet, there may be more of a reason behind our interruptions in life than we know. I am reminded of the story of Balaam and his donkey.
In Numbers 22:21-39, the story is related in detail. Balaam, a pagan prophet, was approached by King Balak to go and curse the nation of Israel for he feared them. He offered his money if he would go and do this, but Balaam said that he could only say what God told him to say. He initially declined the King's offer, but eventually, he was told he could go with them. The lure of the money that was offered made him want to go along. As he journeyed to meet the king, his donkey acted very strangely. At first, the donkey took him into a field whereupon Balaam beat him back on the road. Once again, as they were proceeding between two narrow walls, the donkey pushed Balaam's foot into a stone wall and refused to go on. Again, Balaam beat the donkey wondering why he was so disobedient. They went on a little further where there was a narrow place with no room to turn, and suddenly, the donkey lay down under Balaam. This was too much for the man. He beat his donkey with his staff. Then, the donkey's mouth was opened by God and he said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" (Numbers 22:28b). Instead of shock and dismay at his talking donkey, Balaam told him that if he had a sword, he would have killed him. The donkey reminded this man of how faithful he had been, and after that response, God opened Balaam's eyes to see the angel standing in his way. It was then that the angel told him that he came to oppose him because of his reckless path. He further told him that if the donkey hadn't stopped those three times, the angel would certainly have killed Balaam. What a wake up call! Balaam admitted his sin in going and in beating his animal who had saved his life. The angel told him he could continue his journey but could only say what God told him to say about the Children of Israel.
When we look at this story, we see a man who was unaware of God's angel who went before him. He had no idea why his donkey behaved as it did, and in utter irritation, beat the poor animal until God opened his eyes. While this story is not a perfect parallel with our interrupted plans, it serves to remind us that there are often unseen things behind why our plans are stopped in mid course. We don't have a full picture as God does of what lies ahead. I have often thought to myself, "How many traffic accidents has God kept me from by delaying my travel? Or what if I had gone ahead with a certain purchase which might have been a big mistake?" This side of heaven, we may not know why things turn out as they do, but we can rest assured that God is sovereign and has our best interests at heart. Personally, I have come to a place now where I try to step back and acknowledge that there must be a reason for things to go as they have, and I can have peace knowing that God is in control.
All of us can rest in His timing because Jesus came into the world at just the right moment to bring salvation to those who are called by His name. We also know on the basis of His Word that He will come again for His own as He promised. Looking at our world situation and the difficulties everyone has faced during the Pandemic it is easy to be discouraged, but this is the time we need to encourage one another and all the more as we see the day drawing near for Him to come again (Hebrews 10:25).
God's timing for our cruise was not our timing, but we were very blessed when we had the opportunity to go. We must all remember "A man's heart plans his course but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Balaam had to learn this from his donkey, but we have God's Word to help us to wait on His timing. Therefore let us rejoice in waiting upon the Lord! Selah!
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