Numbers chapter 24 verse 10 (NIV)
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times.
In Balaam’s defence, he had told Balak’s emissaries when they summoned him, that he could only speak as God told him to. But when Balak didn’t get the response he expected first time round, he persisted in his request a further twice. He didn’t want to hear what he’d initially been told. Perhaps he thought that by persisting he would get his own way eventually.
It’s a reminder to us too that God doesn’t change His mind so when He says no to our request, He means it and we must accept that. We need not bother throwing a strop like Balak did. God has our best interests at heart, and if He says no, it’s for good reason.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminder that You only say no for good reason. Help me to accept Your will with grace, even if it doesn’t fit in with what I hoped for. Thank You that Your ways are higher and better than mine. Amen.