“Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.”
(Numbers 23:20, ESV)
In the second oracle of Balaam, we see a key theological principle. God is sovereign and what God decrees man cannot override. Balak offered Balaam money to curse Israel to which Balaam responds that it is impossible to go against the will of God, even for money.
“If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak?” (Numbers 24:13, ESV)
It is futile to oppose the purposes of God. It is also futile to call God to change His purposes to fit ours. It is only profitable to adjust our purposes to join His. How do we do this? We have looked at this before, but it is worthy of review. To understand God’s purposes requires several things.
First, we must be endeavoring to live a Spirit filled life. This means that we will be seeking to yield our will completely to His in every area of life. This implies we will be avoiding sin and seeking Him with a whole heart.
Second, we must be students of His Word. The greater our knowledge of His Word, the greater will be our comprehension of His purposes. We can never join what we do not perceive. Our perception comes through the study of God’s word and the illuminating work of the Spirit revealing His truth from His word.
Third, in a specific way we must observe what is going on around us to see where God is already at work. If we look, we will constantly see situations, opportunities, and possibilities everywhere. These may be in the struggles in our life or the lives of others. They may be in opportunities for change. They may be seen in any opportunity of life.
Fourth, when you identify one of these situations, opportunities, or possibilities, spend some time in prayerful consideration of the word of God. Prayerfully ask these questions. Lord based upon your purposes as revealed in your Word, how should a Christian respond to this situation. Then ask, Lord based upon this understanding and how you have blessed, gifted, and equipped me, how can I join you and your purposes in this situation?
Fifth, when you understand God’s purposes and how He is working in a specific situation and how He wants you to join Him in it, you are ready to proceed in it. Then proceed by faith to join God in the situation while continuing to observe the ways God is at work. Remember, you are not only joining God in the situation, you are joining Him throughout the situation, He is doing the work and you are joining Him.
Last, give glory to God. When you join Him by the power of His grace, and you see how He has accomplished great things, give Him all the glory.
Renewing the Heart 