What steps can we take to ensure we are aligned with God's will daily? The Night God Knocked on Balaam’s Door (Numbers 22:9) “Then God came to Balaam and asked, ‘Who are these men with you?’ ” God’s unexpected question exposed Balaam’s divided heart. The episode shows how easily we can drift from the Lord’s path simply by entertaining the wrong voices. From this single verse—and the story surrounding it—we can draw practical, daily steps for staying in step with God. Invite God to Speak First • Begin each morning by opening His Word before opening your schedule. • Psalm 143:8—“Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You.” • Like Balaam, we need God to “come” to us before we race ahead with plans. Examine the Company You Keep • God’s first question to Balaam was about his guests. Companions influence convictions. • 1 Corinthians 15:33—“Bad company corrupts good character.” • Practical step: Review meetings, media, and friendships. Anything pulling you away from obedience needs either boundaries or removal. Filter Every Invitation Through God’s Word • Balaam heard a lucrative offer; God measured it against His covenant with Israel. • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Ask: Does this opportunity harmonize with clear Scripture? If not, it is not God’s will—no matter how appealing. Seek Clarity, Not Loopholes • Balaam kept returning to God hoping for a different answer. The Lord’s will didn’t change. • James 1:5–6—ask for wisdom without doubting, not for permission to compromise. • If Scripture already speaks, continued “asking” usually signals reluctance to obey. Submit Plans, Don’t Just Present Them • God asked Balaam, “Who are these men with you?”—a gentle invitation to surrender motives. • Proverbs 16:3—“Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.” • Before scheduling the day, hand the whole agenda to Him. Allow edits. Obey Promptly and Entirely • Partial obedience (going, yet refusing to curse) still angered God (Numbers 22:22). • John 14:23—love for Christ shows itself in keeping His words. • Delay or half-heartedness signals misalignment; swift obedience realigns the heart. Stay Sensitive to Course Corrections • God used a donkey and an angel to grab Balaam’s attention. • Hebrews 12:6—whom the Lord loves He disciplines. • When circumstances, counsel, or conviction block your path, pause and adjust rather than push through. A Daily Alignment Checklist 1. Word first, world second. 2. Evaluate influences. 3. Test every invitation by Scripture. 4. Settle for God’s “yes” or “no,” not “maybe I can.” 5. Offer today’s schedule back to Him. 6. Act immediately on clear instructions. 7. Welcome correction; course-adjust at the first nudge. Consistent practice of these steps keeps us walking where the Lord is already walking, ensuring that every day is lived squarely inside His good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). |
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