The Small Print
You only notice the importance of the small print once something goes wrong.
Reference: v.11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: Have you ever signed a contract and not read the small print? You only notice the importance of the small print once something goes wrong. Then it doesn’t matter how logical your argument may be, nothing can refute what’s in the small print.
Application: It seems that King Balak forgot to read the small print in Numbers 23. He asked Balaam to curse the Israelites and was anticipating that he would be obedient. However, Balaam only agreed to do it if God gave him permission. When things did not go according to the king’s plans he was not happy about the small print of Balaam obeying God. Clearly it seemed insignificant to begin with, or maybe the king thought he had the power to make things go his way, but true to his word Balaam stayed obedient to God.
There are times in my life when, if I was truly honest, I think I deserve a greater blessing from God than others. However, in His small print God says that He loves us all the same. I can refute it all I like, but it’s right there in the small print: For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only son… God’s small print isn’t there to trip me up, but to show me how much He loves all people and how my life is so much better with Him in it.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I don’t want to read the fine print and I just want to make everything go my own selfish way. Forgive me when I put myself first, and help me to put Your ways before my own. Amen.
What part of God’s small print do you like to skim over?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
3 comments:
Hi Linda, my names Jason. I’ve had problems recently with gambling. I never grew up in a christian home and had a lot of problems living life how I was taught. I’ve suffered with depression since I was a child. I’m finally setting a goal to read bible front to back in 90 days and reading what you share on the passages is very helpful in my walk. Thank-you so much for making it easier for me to understand that what I’m doing is life changing. I need to have God in my life
I am so glad these devotions are helpful. Wishing you well as you try to read the bible in 90 days. Linda has done devotions on pretty much every new testament book and most of the old too. Use the search tool to find them.
Hey Jason,
Thanks so much for dropping me a line on the website. I really appreciated your honesty.
It seems that life has been tough for you but that you are really aiming to turn things around. I pray that the 90 days of reading the Bible brings you hope, understanding and a greater meaning to life. God is good and desires to connect with you in a life-changing way. That doesn’t mean that life will get easy but it means we have a powerful creator behind us to fall back on.
Blessings mate,
Linda.