They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
2 Peter 2:14–16
There is almost a holy irony in this moment. Balaam, the supposed seer, could not see clearly, but the donkey did. The one presumed wise was moving in madness, and God used the unexpected to stop him.
That should humble us. God is not limited in how He corrects us. He may use a friend, a sermon, a circumstance, a child, a closed door, a quiet conviction, or something so unexpected we almost laugh at it later. The question is not whether God can speak; it is whether we are willing to be interrupted.
Correction is mercy. Restraint is kindness. The roadblock we resent may be the rescue we later thank Him for. Peter calls it madness because sin always contains an irrational element. It convinces us that rebellion is freedom, that self-will is wisdom, that the dangerous path is actually the better one.
So, when God halts us, He is not diminishing us. He is protecting us.
Lord, we confess that we do not always welcome interruption or correction. Thank You for loving us enough to stop us when we are heading the wrong way. Give us soft hearts that receive rebuke, discernment to recognize Your warnings, and gratitude for the restraints of Your mercy. We submit to Your correcting hand and trust that Your interruptions are grace.
Grateful for His Restraint,
eep
