God Uses Donkeys!

Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth.
(Numbers 22:28 NKJV)

Something I struggled with for many years, and especially when I worked for a church, was seeing supposed Christians behaving in extremely “unchristian” ways. How could God use people like that? Because people were saved, people were healed, and people were touched by God through their ministry.

A pastor explained to me that God will use anyone who is available. He sees the faith and needs of the person reaching out to Him and meets that faith and need. The person on the stage is simply His vessel.

The story of Balaam and the donkey is a great example of God using whatever and whoever is available to fulfil His purpose.

Balaam was a pagan prophet who was ordered by King Balak of the Moabites to curse the Israelites. Balaam initially refused, after he had a vision in the night from God telling him not to obey the king’s orders. But when a second set of messengers came from the king, Balaam agreed to go with them. God knew Balaam’s rebellious heart, so He gave Balaam’s donkey the ability to speak to Balaam. This miraculous sign opened Balaam’s eyes and he obeyed God’s instructions not to curse the Israelites.

The prophet’s disobedience was no problem to God. He used an equine to accomplish His purpose.

God can, and will, use anyone and anything to bring Christ to the world, be it a blazing light from heaven on a Damascus road as Paul experienced or an aside comment thrown out by an atheist as occurred with C.S. Lewis.

The next time you are wondering how God can use a certain person, first remember no-one is perfect, second remember God reaches out to the lost in whatever way He can, and third, He uses donkeys.

Notice I said donkeys not asses. I was intentionally careful with my nomenclature!