Have you ever whipped God into submission?

There is a wonderful story in the Bible about a talking donkey. This wasn't just any "run of the mill" talking donkey. This was Balaam's donkey. Just so we can keep up with the story, let's name the donkey Sheila.
 
Now Balaam was a prophet of God. This was before we were given the Holy Spirit as a communicator between God and you. So Balaam's job was an important one. So important that off and on guys like him were killed because of the message they brought from God. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. The rewards were awesome if you could perform.
 
Sheila was a faithful donkey. She never complained. She always let Balaam ride her back and would take him wherever he wanted to go. All she asked for was a little portion of oats and something to drink. She knew it was her job to get Balaam to and from his destination. Well, one day on the way to seeing a king, she was on a narrow path and spotted a mighty angel warrior in front that was holding the business end of a sword. Don't fall for the age old line that donkey's are stupid, for Sheila was quite the opposite. She immediately stopped and likely saved Balaam's life. The angel was ready to take a swing at Balaam.
 
Does Balaam thank her? No! He whips her into submission and gets her to move a little further. The angel backs up a bit, but still blocks the trail. Sheila stops again and is so frightened to be caught between a rock and a hard place that she crushes Balaam's foot against the side of the cliff (thinking that might slow him down). I told you about the path being narrow and Sheila just trying to keep Balaam from being killed. Now Balaam is really hacked! He beats Sheila again. Sheila goes a little further so as to stop the beating. But now there is nowhere to go but forward. There is no turning right or left. The angel is looking really hacked and has his sword drawn. Sheila does the only thing left to do outside of suicide and lies down. Balaam is so hacked he says if he had a sword he'd kill Sheila right there on the spot.
 
Now God speaks and He says something like this....
 
"I told you to not go. You insisted on going anyway. I tried to protect you along the way. You beat me for it. I even held off an angel that preferred killing you for your disobedience. Are you ready to listen to me or are you going to continue chasing your own selfish ambitions? Remember. I brought you into this world. I can take you out. Go now and you best only say what I tell you."
 
Such is the life of a prophet. Does it speak to your life?

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