Watching us from the hills....

Numbers 22 - 26

I just love it when I'm come out of a trial or challenge in my life and realize that God has been at work the entire time. 

The story I read today, portrayed such a picture.  I've never read this story before, never even heard of the guys in it.  But what a beautiful account of God working behind the scenes, "watching us from the hills" while we are unaware. 

Balak (a Moab king) wanted Balaam (a prophet) to curse the Israelites because he was scared of them.  He referred to them as a "vast horde of people covering the face of the earth", fully understanding that the reputation of their God preceded them.

Balaam said he'd let Balak know in the morning because he had to seek God's counsel and his answer would be based on "whatever the Lord directs me to say."   Well, it turns out God told him NOT to curse Israel because He had already blessed them.  They are His people.

Balak knew that Balamm's blessings fell on those he blessed and the people whom he cursed were doomed and by this time he's getting desperate, so he offers him money and says he would do anything Balaam wanted if he would curse even a portion of them!

Balamm asks God over and over, building alters for offerings, but the Lord was very clear - He had made a promise to Israel and would carry it through.  In fact, not only did He command Balaam NOT to curse them, but He asked him to bless them 3 times...and curse Balak's people!

Balak was furious, but Balaam had said from the very begining that he was powerless to anything against the will of the Lord.

What I love most about this story is the Israelites had no idea  this was going on behind the scenes.  They're just living life, as usual, going about their own business.

In in the distance, Balak and Balaam are "watching them from the hills" (23:9), and God is busy at work protecting them.  Blessing them and cursing their enemies - through His prophet, Balaam.

All because of a promise that He would no go back on.

"Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (23:19)

It's amazing to know that every promise I read, every word spoken by God, my protector, is a truth that he will not go back on. 

....and I'm so very blessed to be learning more and more of His promises every day.