Lord of majesty,
once again Balaam was called to curse,
once again altars were raised,
once again sacrifices were offered.
But this time he did not seek omens,
for Your Spirit came upon him.
Eyes once blinded by greed
were opened to see.
Lips once hired for curses
were filled with blessing.
O God, open my eyes too.
Let me see as You see.
Remove the scales of doubt and pride,
that I may behold Your glory.
Let my lips speak only
what Your Spirit places within them.
Even if men demand curses,
let me bless.
Even if the world bribes me for silence,
let me declare Your truth.
Make my tongue captive
to Your Spirit alone.
Balaam looked upon Israel
and saw them dwelling in beauty,
tents like gardens beside rivers,
cedars planted by the Lord.
A people blessed,
rooted, fruitful, enduring.
Lord, plant me in such a place.
Let my life be like a tree by streams of water,
bearing fruit in its season,
its leaf not withering.
Let my roots go deep in Your Word,
my strength flow from Your Spirit,
my fruit feed those who hunger for life.
And then the prophecy rose higher still:
“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”
O Lord, this was Christ
the star who shines in the darkness,
the King whose scepter rules forever.
Centuries before His birth,
You spoke of Him,
the hope of nations,
the ruler of all.
Jesus, shine on me.
Let the light of Your presence
scatter my night.
Reign over me with Your scepter,
not as a tyrant,
but as a Shepherd King.
Subdue every enemy within me
my pride, my fear, my sin.
Conquer every rival love,
until my heart is wholly Yours.
Father, You turned Balaam’s curses to blessing,
his greed to prophecy,
his rebellion to revelation.
So too, turn what the enemy means for evil
into good for me.
Transform the threats of darkness
into testimonies of light.
Let my life declare,
as Balaam was forced to confess
“What God has blessed, none can curse.”
So today I fix my eyes
on the star of Jacob,
the risen Christ.
I bow to the scepter of Israel,
the eternal King.
And I rejoice that Your blessing,
once spoken,
can never be revoked.
In the name of Jesus,
the Bright Morning Star,
the King of kings,
Amen.