Who Can Live?
Ah, who can live when God does this?
Numbers 24:23 (NIV)
Balaam, the prophet hired to curse, ends up blessing — blurting the question summarizing all reverent awe: ah, who can live when God does this? Facing Israel's future visions, even the mercenary trembles. Who can live when God acts in judgment and salvation? The question expects no human answer; it produces the only possible one: only whoever he sustains lives.
Gratitude springs from that awe. Knowing God is fearful yet keeps us turns every ordinary day miraculous: waking, breathing, working, coming home — all grace from One who could consume us. Balaam saw from outside what Israel saw inside unperceiving: living before a holy God is privilege, not routine. Whoever grasps the question learns to thank the obvious.
Answer with gratitude today: you live because he sustains, never by merit. Thank him for air, bread, homecomings — miracles disguised as routine. Who can live? Whoever he keeps — and he keeps the grateful with special tenderness. Ordinary graces are daily miracles wearing work clothes. Count breaths, bread, and homecomings with fresh wonder today. Balaam trembled at visions; you can tremble at breakfast mercies. Gratitude turns routine into revelation. Live awed and thank often.