In the beginning of this famous Bible story about a talking donkey, we read that “the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary.”

Why is that so striking? Who is the Angel of the Lord? We read the same phrase in other places; here’s one. “The angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” The burning bush, where God speaks and calls His name, “I Am,” that was the Angel of the Lord, and He identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It would seem God is being an adversary to Balaam, coming against him to defend His people Israel.

What is wild about that? Satan is our adversary. That’s one of his descriptors. Who would you rather come against you?

Balaam seems to want to have things both ways. He acts like he’ll obey God, only saying what He says, but he also is still trying to make a buck off of God’s enemies.

Luke-warm Christianity gets you vomited out. I’m referring to Revelation 3:16. You are in or out. You don’t put your hand to the plow and turn back.

You are in a war. You are on a side. You are in God’s kingdom and Jesus is your King, or you are in Satan’s kingdom and Satan is your king. In battle, either Satan is your adversary or God is.

Which side are you on? Satan is the ruler of this world. Are you in the world or have you separated yourself out from it? Are you walking in the flesh, in the darkness, in the world, or are you walking in the light?

There are several Scriptures calling Satan the ruler of the world. Of course, he’s only partly in power. God still holds the ultimate power. I would rather have God on my side in battle.

Remember that this battle is not against flesh and blood, whether human or donkey. It’s a spiritual battle.

God, please open our eyes to the battle. Keep us from blaming, resentment, hurt feelings. May we always recognize the true enemy and take our stand on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, to whom be all power and glory and honor forever and ever. Amen!