The Mystery of Obstacles
The Mystery of Obstacles
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way… —Numbers 22:31
I’m sure there have been occasions when you attempted to do a something but found an obstacle hindering you from accomplishing it. It could be something good like going to a particular mission field, or attending some college, or marrying a certain person.
Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonians, but Satan hindered him from going (1 Thess. 2:18). Yet, sometimes it is not Satan who stands in our way, but it is God who blocks our pathway. God stood in the way of Balaam and God also stopped Paul and Silas from going to Asia and Bithynia to preach the Gospel (Acts 16:6-7).
Balaam’s story teaches us that not every obstacle is meant to be overcome. Some “roadblocks” are placed by God to keep us from making a big mistake. When something obstructs our plans, we shouldn’t assume it is Satan. It may be God trying to spare us from something we’ll regret. Or it may be that God has a better plan for us in the future.
The mystery is—when we are hindered from carrying out a plan, how do we know if it is God or Satan trying to stop us? Well, it really doesn’t matter if it is God or Satan. What does matter is are we surrendered to do the will of God whatever it may be (see Romans 12:1-2).