Daily Devotional
Balaam, Part 1
“So, the donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?’ And he said, ‘No’ ” (Numbers 22:30).
They weren’t really looking for a donkey to add to the farm. But Jon and Maria Katz had rescued other animals, and they couldn’t turn down the state trooper’s request to take an abused, weak, malnourished, nearly dead donkey named Simon.
The animal’s recovery was difficult. He needed continual care. Jon fed him by hand, read to him, took him on walks, and even talked to him as an old friend. Slowly Simon’s health improved. And then, as if to give back to Jon, the donkey revealed the true meaning of compassion—it changed the animal owner’s heart. Jon learned to understand mercy in a new light. (Jon Katz, Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion (New York: Ballantine Books, 2014.)
Balaam had a donkey that needed to be rescued. The former prophet of God found the “wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15) too tantalizing. When the king of Moab offered to pay the apostate man good money to curse Israel, he couldn’t resist. Though warned in a dream not to go, he pushed forward, saddling his donkey and riding to Moab.
Along the way his donkey seemed to gain a mind of her own. First, she turned off the path and went into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to get her back on the road. Then she pressed against a narrow passage and crushed Balaam’s foot. Once more his anger let loose and he whipped the beast. Finally, the animal simply sat down underneath her owner. Notice Balaam’s wicked response: “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” (Numbers 22:29).
The donkey stopped because an angel had held out a sword. Though Balaam wanted to kill the donkey, that very animal had saved his life. What a contrast between man and beast! It seems even the animals have les- sons to teach us.
Lord, may I always show kindness to the creatures You have created for me to enjoy and learn from.
Daily Devotional Verses
Find Inspiration with Our Daily Christian Devotionals
Each daily Christian devotional is based on scripture, helping you connect with God’s Word in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Whether you’re dealing with tough decisions, seeking comfort, or simply wanting to grow in your faith, these devotionals are designed for you. Alongside every reading, we’ve included daily devotional verses to dive deeper into, giving you the chance to reflect more on God’s promises.
These devotionals are great for both beginners and those who have been on their spiritual journey for years. They provide thoughtful encouragement that can be read quickly but will leave a lasting impact on your heart. With each reading, you’ll deepen your relationship with God and discover His love and guidance more clearly.
Free Daily Devotional Resources to Support Your Faith
We recognise that everyone’s spiritual path is a unique and personal journey, and sometimes we need extra resources to guide us. You can explore our free daily devotionals for ongoing support, browse through Christian books online in Australia, or consult our guide to studying the Bible to enrich your understanding and support your daily walk with Jesus.
As part of a caring and trusted Christian ministry, our mission is to provide meaningful, reliable content that helps you stay grounded in your faith. These devotionals are written with you in mind, encouraging you to see God’s hand at work in your life every day.
Start exploring our daily Christian devotionals now and discover the comfort, joy, and wisdom from spending time in God’s Word. Let His truth fill your heart today and every day. For more inspiration, don’t forget to check out our free Christian media resources available to support your faith journey.