Balaam

I have taken the challenge of reading through the Bible in a year, which I am not doing very well at right now. However, I came across this man name Balaam, do you know what is story is? Most people don't because his talking donkey in the story takes the spotlight away from him. Balaam is found in the book of Numbers 22 and 23. King Balak summons him to curse the Israelites and on his way there the angel of the Lord blocked the road. That is the whole scene were the donkey talks, but what happens after that is amazing! King Balak tries to pay Balaam to curse the Israelites, but he blesses them instead because he is obedient to God. "'But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? I see them from the cliff tops; I watch them from the hills. I see a people who live by themselves set apart from other nations. Who can count Jacob's descendants, as numerous as dust? Who can count even a fourth of Israel's people? Let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs.' Then King Balak demanded of Balaam 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!' But Balaam replied, 'I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth'" (Numbers  23:8-12). Boom! Isn't that awesome? Isn't God awesome? I can't believe how brave Balaam is standing up to the King! I hope that I can be brave and obedient just like Balaam, even during the toughest times.