ESOCS Devotional 11 June 2021
TEXT: NUMBERS 22:29-40
MEMORY VERSE: “And the angel of the LORD said unto him, wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me” (Numbers 22:32 KJV).
Balaam struck the ass three times because it saw an Angel of the Lord with a sword in his hand, blocking the way. Balaam did not know this until the Lord opened his eyes. He blamed the ass; but he was the cause. The Angel told him the actual reason he had interrupted his journey: “… Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse [your behavior is willfully obstinate and contrary – AMP] before Me” (Num. 22:32 NKJV).
Like Balaam, some people easily blame others for the consequences of the things they do. They claim innocence. Such people are not different from Adam. Instead of taking responsibility for his sin, Adam blamed his wife, Eve for his disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit. God cursed the ground for his sake and he began to earn his living through hard work ().
Shifting the blame is not a Christian virtue. It does not align with the demands of integrity. It is hypocrisy, and self-centeredness; an evidence of low mindedness. Such people are not mature in their thoughts; they cannot intercede or stand in the gap for others. We should not have such character in us.
Let us be like Christ instead. He had no sin in Him; yet, He took the blame we deserved. This is a Christian virtue.
- Admit your errors when you them; and learn from them.
Father, grant me the grace to identify my faults and to correct them before they ruin me.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 11:1-10; John 6:30-40; Revelation 7:1-8
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 11 June 2021
