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Num. 23
Again Balaam repeatedly implores God, though he knows what God wants. But this time something is different. This time we see that our free choice starts and stops with our own lives. I’m not saying that we can’t hurt others, because we most certainly can and do. But our actions never ever alter God’s plan. We cannot curse what God chooses to bless, nor bless what He chooses to curse. Of course we can always choose to try, but such efforts will only turn back on us.
Ps. 64-65
One thing I have learned about the Bible is that it is more than skin deep. The deeper meaning in it typically lies beyond the obvious physical message. So when David says, “Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity” (Ps. 64:1b-2), I hear more than a prayer for his physical safety. In those words, God’s Spirit, through David’s pen, gave us a hint of what Jesus does for us. Paul explained it in his letter to the Colossians. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:2-3).
Therefore, when we set our minds on the things above, we see that the enemy is not of flesh and blood (see Eph. 6:12). We see that the evil of others is not our greatest threat. Rather, “Iniquities prevail against me…” (Ps. 65:3a). We are our own worst enemy! Finally, we see that Jesus puts that enemy to death. “…As for our transgressions, You forgive them.” (Ps. 65:3b). And now our true life, the one that really matters, God hides and protects with Christ and no one can touch it. Thus, “The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart will glory.” (Ps. 64:10).
Is. 13
God said it would all happen before any of it happened. He foretold, through Isaiah, not only the destruction from Babylon, but the subsequent destruction of Babylon. God said it would happen and it did. What reason do we have to doubt any of His word?