What steps can we take to ensure our actions align with God's will? Setting the Scene: Balaam’s First Response Numbers 22:14 “So the Moabite princes returned to Balak and said, ‘Balaam refused to come with us.’” Balaam heard Balak’s request, sought the Lord, and received a clear answer: “Do not go with them; you are not to curse these people, for they are blessed” (v. 12). At this point Balaam obeyed and sent the princes home. That single act models how we can take our first steps toward aligning our actions with God’s will. Why This Moment Matters • God’s voice was clear, yet pressure was intense. • Balaam’s initial obedience shows it is possible to stand firm, at least for a while, even when wealth, honor, or acceptance are on the table. • Scripture highlights this first refusal to remind us that knowing God’s will is not the hard part; choosing to keep following it is. Key Principles Drawn from the Passage 1. Hear God before you hear anyone else. 2. Accept God’s “no” without negotiation. 3. Let your answer remain the same even when new incentives arrive. Practical Steps to Keep Our Actions in Line with God’s Will • Seek God early – Psalm 5:3: “In the morning, LORD, You hear my voice.” – Before commitments pile up, ask, “Lord, what do You say about this?” • Saturate decisions with Scripture – Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Keep a verse at hand that speaks directly to your current situation. • Test every opportunity by the original word you received – Galatians 1:8 warns against accepting a different message later. – If God’s first answer was clear, any later “revisions” are suspect. • Guard your motives – 1 Timothy 6:10: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” – Ask, “Am I drawn by gain or by God?” • Surround yourself with steady, godly counsel – Proverbs 11:14: “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” – Invite believers who love the truth more than they love you. • Obey promptly and completely – James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” – Partial obedience soon slides into disobedience. • Stay humble and correctable – Micah 6:8 calls us to “walk humbly with your God.” – When confronted, be willing to repent rather than justify. • Keep praying as you go – 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” – Ongoing conversation with God keeps your spiritual ears open. Lessons from Balaam’s Later Failure When Balak sent more distinguished princes with richer rewards, Balaam reopened what God had already closed (vv. 15-21). His story warns us: • Re-asking God when we already know His will is often a sign of wavering, not devotion. • External honor can blur internal conviction. • A compromised heart will eventually bend actions away from God’s path. Putting It All Together Aligning our actions with God’s will is a daily choice to listen, trust, and obey—no matter who is watching, what is offered, or how many times the offer comes back. Balaam’s first answer was right; staying with that answer would have protected him from later disaster. Let his initial obedience inspire us to adopt these same steps, keep them in place, and finish every assignment faithful to the word the Lord has already spoken. |
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