Day 81

Day 81 Through The Bible

Church Helps
March 22, 2025•2 min read

Day 81: When God Uses a Donkey to Speak

Biblical Principle:

God uses His creation to get our attention in supernatural ways. It shouldn’t surprise us that we don't see God when we are walking in disobedience. Likewise, we shouldn’t be surprised when He uses extraordinary means—like a talking donkey—to get our attention.

Scripture Reading: Numbers 22:20-34

In this passage, Balaam sets out on a journey with the princes of Moab, but God’s anger is kindled against him because his heart is not aligned with God’s will. Along the way, Balaam’s donkey repeatedly sees the angel of the Lord standing in opposition, while Balaam remains blind to the divine intervention. Frustrated, Balaam beats his donkey—until God miraculously opens the animal’s mouth to speak.

Only after this unusual event does Balaam’s spiritual blindness lift, and he realizes that God had been trying to redirect him all along. The angel of the Lord tells Balaam that had the donkey not turned aside, he would have been slain. This is a powerful reminder that sometimes, God places obstacles in our path to protect us.

Applying This to Our Lives:

Are you so distracted by the world that you no longer recognize when God is speaking? Do you ever use religious actions for personal gain rather than for faithful obedience to God?

Like Balaam, we can become blind to God’s guidance when we allow our desires to override His direction. Balaam was willing to go with the Moabite officials, but his motives were not pure. When we "play church" rather than live in genuine faith, we may fail to recognize when God is trying to warn or protect us.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I ignoring God’s warnings in my life?

  • Have I been frustrated by obstacles that might be God’s protection?

  • Do I seek God’s direction sincerely or manipulate faith for personal gain?

Final Thoughts:

God still speaks today, sometimes in ways we least expect. If He could use a donkey to get Balaam’s attention, He can certainly use circumstances, people, or even difficulties in our lives to redirect us toward Him. The question is: Are we paying attention?

God’s guidanceTalking donkey BibleBalaam storyGod’s protectionObeying GodDivine interventionSpiritual blindness
Evangelist Dan Woltmann grew up in the home of full time Christian school teachers. Saved at the tender age of 5, Dan surrendered to preach at the age of 14; he preached his first sermon at 16 to his youth group. He was privileged to meet and to learn from many pillars of fundamentalism and outstanding preachers. From these men he developed a strong conviction on the truth of God’s Word. Dan’s ministry experience is vast and varied. From starting four Christian service Bible clubs in college, to revitalizing churches and church ministries now for nearly 35 years. Direct one on one to ministry leaders as well as demostrating Biblical Worldview in the corporate world.

Dan Woltmann

Evangelist Dan Woltmann grew up in the home of full time Christian school teachers. Saved at the tender age of 5, Dan surrendered to preach at the age of 14; he preached his first sermon at 16 to his youth group. He was privileged to meet and to learn from many pillars of fundamentalism and outstanding preachers. From these men he developed a strong conviction on the truth of God’s Word. Dan’s ministry experience is vast and varied. From starting four Christian service Bible clubs in college, to revitalizing churches and church ministries now for nearly 35 years. Direct one on one to ministry leaders as well as demostrating Biblical Worldview in the corporate world.

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