“Then I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They attacked you, but I gave them into your power, and you took over their land. I wiped them out before you. Then Moab’s King Balak, Zippor’s son, set out to attack Israel. He summoned Balaam, Beor’s son, to curse you. But I wasn’t willing to listen to Balaam, so he actually blessed you. I rescued you from his power.” – Joshua 24:8-10 (CEB)
King Balak wanted Israel cursed. He paid good money for it. He hired a prophet named Balaam and pointed him at God’s people and asked for a curse strong enough to stop them. And Balaam opened his mouth to curse Israel, and blessing came out instead, because God simply wasn’t willing to listen to the request.
This is a strange kind of protection, the kind you never see happening. Israel didn’t know a king wanted them cursed. They didn’t watch the negotiation or feel the moment it failed. They just kept walking, protected by a decision made entirely without them.
How much of your own life has been quietly protected in ways you never got to see, and never got to thank anyone for?
God who turns curses into blessings, thank you for the protection I never asked for and rarely notice. Keep me trusting even in what I cannot see. Amen.