Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls  of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women named and unnamed, are faithful to our God and are integral parts of the story of God saving the world.  Despite what the world tells us, we do not need to be powerful, prominent, or rich to have influence.

Questions to Ponder:

1. This week's hero is really not Balaam, or even the talking donkey, but God. Overall, we can learn that God can work through anyone, even those who don't belong to him. While Balaam may look like a man of God, is he? How do we know what a real person of God looks like?

2. Why was Balak, king of Moab, terrified by the Israelites? (vv. 2-4) Because of his fear, who did Balak send for and why?

3. For all Balaam's talk about speaking only what God put into his mouth, he was wishing to curse the children of Israel for the generous fee Balak would pay him. Instead of loving righteousness, Balaam "loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15-16). Balaam knew what pleased the Lord, but what pleased the Lord did not please Balaam. How can we make sure to please God in everything we do?

4.  How may we be in danger of distorting the truth of God?

5. This wayward bent of Balaam's heart  that continued in wickedness, is a telling tale of the inability to hide our hearts from God. Even in the New Testament, we still see the true character of Balaam recalled: "They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey - an animal without speech - who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness" (2 Peter 2:15-16). Take time today to ask God to search your heart for any offensive way.

6. God blocked Balaam's way with an angel and made his donkey speak, which caused Balaam to listen to the angel and agree to say only what God told him. How does knowing that God can block the path with an angel and talk through a donkey impact any fears or worries you've been experiencing lately?

7. While you may not hear the Lord through the mouth of a donkey today, thank Him that He can speak to you in any way He chooses. Ask God to use your ears to hear His voice and eyes to see His supernatural work around you.