Balaam's Prayer, and Mine--July 1, 2014

O God, I am determined to pursue

what I am certain is the correct path;

but the insolent have risen up against me.

I know that rules and righteousness

are completely on my side;

but my way is blocked.

I am ready to beat on any

jackass who will not help me pass,

even one who has been a faithful servant.

Open my eyes to see--have you sent

an angel to block the road?

Have I chosen to rely on

the wrong authority?

Remind me to whom

I belong; make me willing

to change my mind and my way,

that I may bear fruit in your vineyard.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99

Numb. 22:21-38

Rom. 7:1-12

Matt. 21:23-32

Selected Verses

Ps. 54:3a

For the insolent have risen against me…

Numb. 22:31-32

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed down, falling on his face.   The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times?  I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.  …"

Rom. 7:4

In the same way, my friends, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Matt. 21:28-29

"What do you think?  A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'  He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.  …"  [Jesus to religious authorities who questioned his authority]