Numbers 22:41–23:12; Romans 7:13–25; Matthew 21:33–46

God gave Balaam an indisputable word. But Balak did not want to hear it and asked to hear something that he wanted to hear. He wanted to put words into God’s mouth. It is also hard for us to agree with God; our flesh wants another way. We try to make the rules. Our new, redeemed, spiritual nature delights in the law of God but the old nature that remains with us while in this physical life wants its own way. The spirit has its hands on the reins but, like Balaam’s donkey, sometimes the flesh seems to have a mind of its own. It wages war against the will of God within us, like the tenants against the master’s servants, and finally, his own son.

Who can save us from the flesh, from “this body of death”? It will kill all of God’s messengers; indeed, it has killed the Son. Yet, in his death, the despised Son has become the cornerstone of a new body, the Church of Christ. So we must never surrender to this warring flesh, but keep the faith by listening to the truth of God’s irrefutable word, confessing our sins, and believing that God forgives.

Prayer: Make your will be done in me, God, through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Mark Ryman, Communications Coordinator for the NALC.