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Duty or Desire, April 17
Numbers 22
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.
Proverbs 1:25
.
In the night season the angel of God came to Balaam with the message,
“Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are
blessed.” ...
A second time Balaam was tested. In response to the solicitations of the
ambassadors he professed great conscientiousness and integrity, assuring them
that no amount of gold and silver could induce him to go contrary to the will of
God. But he longed to comply with the king’s request; and although the will of
God had already been definitely made known to him, he urged the messengers
to tarry, that he might further inquire of God; as though the Infinite One were a
man, to be persuaded.
In the night season the Lord appeared to Balaam and said, “If the men come
to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto
thee, that shalt thou do.” Thus far the Lord would permit Balaam to follow his
own will, because he was determined upon it. He did not seek to do the will of
God, but chose his own course, and then endeavored to secure the sanction of
the Lord.
There are thousands at the present day who are pursuing a similar course.
They would have no difficulty in understanding their duty if it were in harmony
with their inclinations. It is plainly set before them in the Bible or is clearly
indicated by circumstances and reason. But because these evidences are contrary
to their desires and inclinations they frequently set them aside and presume to
go to God to learn their duty. With great apparent conscientiousness they pray
long and earnestly for light. But God will not be trifled with. He often permits
such persons to follow their own desires and to suffer the result.... When one
clearly sees a duty, let him not presume to go to God with the prayer that he may
be excused from performing it. He should rather, with a humble, submissive
spirit, ask for divine strength and wisdom to meet its claims
[114]
22
Ibid., 439-441
.
116