Numbers 22: 12-22
Often we wonder, "Can I really know the will of God for my life?" The Bible teaches us many facts about hearing God’s voice. Let’s take a look at just one example that helps us learn about the benefits of listening to God’s voice.
It was the perfect will of God that Balaam NOT go with the men of Moab. But Balaam disobeyed God’s voice and went with them. When he did he was walking in disobedience to what God had revealed to him was His will for Balaam to do...not to go.
Vs. 17 Balak’s offer of riches tempted Balaam so he went to God...a second time. God had already given His answer. But, Balaam wanted a different answer. Because of Balaam’s evil heart of greed, God was angry and let him go and do what he really wanted to do. How many times do we go to God and ask and ask and ask again for something He has already answered or showed us His way for us to go? But, we have a certain answer we are hoping for. Maybe we’re like Balaam and are led aside by our own desires or maybe we lack interest in what God is asking us to do. Balaam sought God, but, he wasn’t really seeking God’s will. His heart wasn’t in it. In his position, it would be expected of him. He was performing his role. Have you found yourself in that position? A believer, so, of course, you go to God when you
need something, but, at the same time your heart isn’t really looking for what God will say... you already have an idea of what you will do...what you will say...where you will go.
Through failure as well as success, the believer is learning to hear God’s voice. Through both positive and negative experiences he is continuing his growth in understanding the principles of a God-directed life. This is liberating. This frees us and assures us of a more joyful life. The will of God becomes a challenge of learning to align your life with His plan. Balaam’s journey resulted in a series of trying encounters with Balak which could have been avoided if Balaam had obeyed God’s voice and never gone in the first place. There are many examples in God’s Word that teach us it is best to obey God the first time He speaks to us. Jonah never would have experienced the inside of a whale’s belly, the Israelites wouldn’t have wondered for 40 years if they had taken the Promise Land the first time they were instructed to.
There are some facts we should know about God’s will that will help us to understand it is the absolute best for us:
1. He wants you to know His will (Eph. 5:17)
2. His will is planned
3. His plan is individual and personal for each person (Ps. 139:16)
a. Bible confirms this by showing us He placed men in specific situations at exact times for special purposes
4. His will is not man’s way (Is. 55:8) My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways
5. His will is good
6. God’s plan is continuous
We are His workmanship--He is constantly working in our lives, He desires to make you complete
Where does your walk fit in? Do your steps line up with God’s? Or are you going your own way (upward dash)? If that is you, I encourage you stop; realize that you are going in an opposite direction from God’s plan for you. Today you can turn back to God and start walking in step with Him. You can line up the lights of your life’s ship to see clearly the way to go. If you’re ready to do that, stand up. Let’s tell God we see that we are going in the wrong direction and we want to come back...we want to hear His voice once again in our lives and follow His leading.
Often we wonder, "Can I really know the will of God for my life?" The Bible teaches us many facts about hearing God’s voice. Let’s take a look at just one example that helps us learn about the benefits of listening to God’s voice.
It was the perfect will of God that Balaam NOT go with the men of Moab. But Balaam disobeyed God’s voice and went with them. When he did he was walking in disobedience to what God had revealed to him was His will for Balaam to do...not to go.
Vs. 17 Balak’s offer of riches tempted Balaam so he went to God...a second time. God had already given His answer. But, Balaam wanted a different answer. Because of Balaam’s evil heart of greed, God was angry and let him go and do what he really wanted to do. How many times do we go to God and ask and ask and ask again for something He has already answered or showed us His way for us to go? But, we have a certain answer we are hoping for. Maybe we’re like Balaam and are led aside by our own desires or maybe we lack interest in what God is asking us to do. Balaam sought God, but, he wasn’t really seeking God’s will. His heart wasn’t in it. In his position, it would be expected of him. He was performing his role. Have you found yourself in that position? A believer, so, of course, you go to God when you
need something, but, at the same time your heart isn’t really looking for what God will say... you already have an idea of what you will do...what you will say...where you will go.
Through failure as well as success, the believer is learning to hear God’s voice. Through both positive and negative experiences he is continuing his growth in understanding the principles of a God-directed life. This is liberating. This frees us and assures us of a more joyful life. The will of God becomes a challenge of learning to align your life with His plan. Balaam’s journey resulted in a series of trying encounters with Balak which could have been avoided if Balaam had obeyed God’s voice and never gone in the first place. There are many examples in God’s Word that teach us it is best to obey God the first time He speaks to us. Jonah never would have experienced the inside of a whale’s belly, the Israelites wouldn’t have wondered for 40 years if they had taken the Promise Land the first time they were instructed to.
There are some facts we should know about God’s will that will help us to understand it is the absolute best for us:
1. He wants you to know His will (Eph. 5:17)
2. His will is planned
3. His plan is individual and personal for each person (Ps. 139:16)
a. Bible confirms this by showing us He placed men in specific situations at exact times for special purposes
4. His will is not man’s way (Is. 55:8) My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways
5. His will is good
6. God’s plan is continuous
We are His workmanship--He is constantly working in our lives, He desires to make you complete
Where does your walk fit in? Do your steps line up with God’s? Or are you going your own way (upward dash)? If that is you, I encourage you stop; realize that you are going in an opposite direction from God’s plan for you. Today you can turn back to God and start walking in step with Him. You can line up the lights of your life’s ship to see clearly the way to go. If you’re ready to do that, stand up. Let’s tell God we see that we are going in the wrong direction and we want to come back...we want to hear His voice once again in our lives and follow His leading.
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