Always Let Your Donkey Be Your Guide

Last night I preached in youth group about the story of Balaam's donkey (Numbers 22ff). It was a lot of fun. I started off with a clip from Shrek. The part where they're selling the magical creatures and donkey won't talk until he starts flying. I shared a little about the history of Balaam's story and then got into my sermon.

The Three Ways To Keep Your Foot From Being Crushed (Balaam's Do's and Don'ts)
1. Ask God first (Good job Balaam)
2. Do what God says (Good job Balaam the first time)
Why did God tell Balaam he couldn't go the first time, then he could go and then get angry at him for going? Because God didn't want Balaam to go. He knew from God's first answer that he was not supposed to go, but when he went to God the second time he wanted to go and probably begged God a bit. God's response was, "Ok, go if you want to go, I'm not going to force you to do anything.) So Balaam took as as "Yay, I can go!" God gets mad at him because he knew in his heart he shouldn't have gone. God allowed him to make his own decission and he chose wrong, knowing what the right thing to do was.
3. Follow God's path
The angel was trying to redirect Balaam through his donkey, but he insisted on going his own way. The donkey points out to him that he has always been able to trust her in the past, why is he not now? When you're caught in sin the people around you who you usually trust all of a sudden "don't know what they're talking about." You justify what your doing then have to justify your justification and get caught in a jusification snowball so you can no longer see the light. Justification is a killer of Christians. Accountability is key!
4. If you've gotten your foot crushed there is hope!
Balaam repented and God used him to bless the Israelites. God can still use you and He will. Balaam then turned against God again and ended up being killed by the Israelites. Don't be like Balaam and have your foot crushed, always let your donkey be your guide.
We then made donkey ear hats to help us remember this lesson and listened to the song "Give a Little Whistle". It was so much fun!