Embracing God's Mercy: A Call to Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Still Within Reach of God's Mercy

No matter how far someone has wandered or how many times they have chosen their own way over God's, His mercy continues to reach out, offering another chance to turn back and receive His love. Even when judgment is delayed, it is not absent; rather, it is God's mercy giving space for repentance and restoration. Balaam's story is a powerful reminder that God's patience is not permission to continue in disobedience, but an invitation to return before it is too late. If you are alive today, you are still within the reach of God's mercy—He is calling you to respond, not to presume upon His patience, but to embrace His grace and say yes to Him. [18:57]

Joshua 13:22 (ESV)
"Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have been ignoring God's call or delaying obedience, thinking you have more time? What would it look like to respond to His mercy today rather than waiting for a more convenient moment?

Day 2: God Speaks Again and Again

God persistently reaches out to people, speaking through His Word, circumstances, and even others, not giving up easily but continually inviting hearts to turn toward Him. He uses every means possible—nature, friends, unexpected moments—to remind us of His truth and His desire for relationship, showing that His love is relentless and His call is patient. Even when people ignore or resist, God continues to speak, longing to bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ. There is no place too far, no heart too hardened, that He cannot reach; His voice is always calling, always inviting, always loving. [25:47]

Job 33:14 (ESV)
"For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it."

Reflection: Can you recall a recent moment when God tried to get your attention—through a person, a circumstance, or even a quiet nudge? How might you intentionally listen for His voice today?

Day 3: The Danger of Delayed Obedience

Delaying obedience to God is a dangerous path, as it can lead to a hardened heart and missed opportunities for repentance and blessing. The world and the enemy may whisper that there is always more time, that judgment is far off, but the truth is that the space given is a gift meant for turning back to God, not for pursuing selfish desires. Each day of delay is a risk, for no one knows how long the window of mercy will remain open. The story of Balaam warns that presuming upon God's patience can end in tragedy if repentance is continually postponed. [38:15]

Ecclesiastes 8:11 (ESV)
"Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil."

Reflection: What is one step of obedience you have been putting off, and what is keeping you from taking it today? How can you move from delay to action in response to God's prompting?

Day 4: The Folly of Choosing the World Over God

Pursuing the rewards and approval of the world instead of obeying God leads to emptiness and spiritual danger, no matter how appealing it may seem. The world offers many distractions and false promises, encouraging people to build their own ways of worship or find meaning apart from God, but true fulfillment and salvation come only through surrender to Him. No amount of success, possessions, or self-made spirituality can replace the peace and purpose found in following God's path. The call is to turn away from the world's lies and embrace the life God offers through obedience and faith. [30:42]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to seek fulfillment or identity in the things of the world rather than in God? What practical change can you make today to realign your heart with Him?

Day 5: The Urgency of Surrender and Repentance

God graciously gives each person a space of time to repent and draw near to Him, but that window is not guaranteed to remain open forever. The opportunity to turn to God is a precious gift, not to be wasted on pride, distractions, or the pursuit of personal gain. The call is urgent: surrender to Jesus, confess His name, and receive the salvation and new life He offers. Do not wait for a more convenient season or assume there will always be more time; today is the day to respond to His love and mercy, to step out of confusion and compromise and into the fullness of His grace. [34:31]

Romans 10:13 (ESV)
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Reflection: Is there anything holding you back from fully surrendering to Jesus right now? What would it look like to call on His name and trust Him with your whole heart today?

Sermon Summary

God’s hand has been evident in both the practical and spiritual aspects of our church life. From the blessing of getting our doors repaired at a fraction of the expected cost, to the unity and effort shown during our recent cleanup day, God’s provision and faithfulness are clear. These moments remind us that even in the mundane, God is working and inviting us to trust Him, to be patient, and to see His mercy in action. As we continue to build and reach out—both in person and online—we are reminded that our efforts are not just about maintaining a building or growing numbers, but about being faithful stewards and reaching souls for the kingdom.

Turning to the story of Balaam in Joshua 13, we see a man who knew the voice of God, understood spiritual truths, and yet chose a path of compromise and self-interest. Despite his rebellion, God’s mercy was extended to him again and again. Balaam’s life is a sobering reminder that God’s judgment may not come swiftly, but His mercy is real and present. The delay in judgment is not an escape from it, but a space of time given by God for repentance and return. Many, like Balaam, mistake God’s patience for approval or indifference, but in reality, it is an opportunity to turn back before it is too late.

God speaks repeatedly, through His Word, through circumstances, and through others, calling us to Himself. No matter how far we stray, we are still within reach of His mercy. The world and the enemy may offer distractions, rewards, and alternative paths, but none can substitute for obedience to God. The call is urgent: do not waste the time God has given you. Repent, surrender, and embrace the mercy that is still available. The story of Balaam ends in tragedy not because God was unwilling to forgive, but because Balaam refused to turn back. Let us not make the same mistake. Today, while we have breath, we are still within reach of God’s mercy.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Mercy is Persistent, Not Permissive Balaam’s life shows that God’s mercy is not a sign of indifference to sin, but a persistent invitation to repentance. The delay in judgment is a space of grace, not a license to continue in disobedience. We must not confuse God’s patience with His approval; rather, we should see it as a loving call to return before the opportunity passes. [18:57]
2. Spiritual Knowledge Does Not Guarantee Obedience Balaam heard God’s voice, understood spiritual realities, and even spoke God’s words, yet he chose compromise for personal gain. Knowing the truth is not the same as living it. Each of us must guard against the subtle drift from obedience to self-interest, remembering that spiritual privilege increases our responsibility to respond rightly to God. [17:43]
3. The Enemy Exploits God’s Patience to Deceive The devil whispers that delayed consequences mean we have escaped them, encouraging us to persist in our own way. But the wheels of God’s judgment, though slow, are sure. The enemy’s greatest lie is that we can outmaneuver God or that we have “gotten away with it,” when in fact, every moment is a gift of mercy meant to draw us back. [21:59]
4. Obedience is the Only Safe Path, No Matter the Cost The world offers rewards and alternative spiritualities, but none can replace surrender to God’s will. Building our own religion or following our own wisdom leads only to emptiness and loss. True life and security are found in saying “yes” to God, even when it means letting go of what the world values most. [30:42]
5. The Space to Repent is Limited and Precious God gives each of us a “space to repent”—a window of opportunity to turn back to Him. We do not know how long this space will last, and it is not given for us to pursue more of the world, but to make things right with God. Let us not waste this time in pride or delay, but respond to God’s call while His mercy is still within reach.

** [37:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - God’s Provision in Practical Needs
[03:45] - Church Cleanup and Community Effort
[06:30] - The Blessing of Giving and Stewardship
[10:00] - Navigating City Requirements and Planning
[11:23] - Online Outreach and Expanding Our Reach
[12:55] - The Challenge of Physical and Digital Evangelism
[14:35] - Introduction to Balaam: Still Within Reach of God’s Mercy
[16:01] - Balaam’s Spiritual Knowledge and Compromise
[17:43] - The Path of Rebellion and God’s Warnings
[18:57] - The Slow Wheels of Judgment and the Abundance of Mercy
[21:59] - The Deception of Delayed Consequences
[23:25] - Remembering God’s Voice and the Call to Repent
[25:47] - The Danger of Saying “No” to God
[27:06] - God’s Mercy and the Call to Surrender
[30:02] - The Folly of Building Our Own Religion
[31:39] - The Only Way: Surrender to Jesus
[32:49] - The Urgency of Responding to God’s Call
[34:31] - The Uncertainty of Our Space to Repent
[36:36] - Don’t Confuse Delay with Escape
[37:38] - Balaam’s Missed Opportunity and Our Call to Respond
[38:15] - The Purpose of God’s Grace Period
[42:01] - Final Announcements and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 13:22 (ESV) — > "Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain."

Numbers 22:12 (ESV) — > "God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.'"

Revelation 2:21 (ESV) — > "I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality."

Observation Questions

According to Joshua 13:22, what happened to Balaam, and where did this take place?
In Numbers 22:12, what clear instruction did God give to Balaam about the people of Israel?
The sermon mentioned that Balaam knew God’s voice and spiritual truths, yet still chose a different path. What were some of the ways Balaam compromised, according to the message? [17:43]
In Revelation 2:21, what does it say God gave, and what was the response?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that God’s mercy is persistent, not permissive. How does Balaam’s story show the difference between God’s patience and God’s approval? [18:57]
Balaam had spiritual knowledge and even heard God’s voice, but still chose self-interest. What does this suggest about the difference between knowing the truth and living it? [16:01]
The message warns that the enemy uses God’s patience to deceive us into thinking we’ve “gotten away with it.” Why is this a dangerous mindset, and how does it show up in Balaam’s story? [21:59]
The sermon talks about a “space to repent” that God gives. What does it mean that this space is “limited and precious,” and how did Balaam miss his opportunity? [37:38]

Application Questions

The sermon gave examples of God’s provision in practical things, like fixing the church doors and the unity during cleanup day. Can you think of a recent “mundane” area in your life where you now see God’s hand at work? How did you respond at the time? [10:00]
Balaam knew what God wanted but kept looking for a way to do things his own way. Is there an area in your life where you know what God wants, but you’re still trying to find a loophole or delay obedience? What’s holding you back from surrendering? [30:02]
The message said, “Don’t confuse delay in judgment with escape from it.” Have you ever mistaken God’s patience for approval in your own life? What was the result? [36:36]
The enemy often offers rewards or distractions to keep us from obeying God. What is one “reward” or distraction that tempts you to compromise your obedience? How can you resist it this week? [28:35]
The sermon emphasized that the “space to repent” is not for chasing more of the world, but for making things right with God. Is there something you need to make right with God or someone else while you still have this space? What step can you take today? [38:15]
Balaam’s story ended in tragedy not because God was unwilling to forgive, but because Balaam refused to turn back. Is there a warning or invitation from God you’ve been ignoring? What would it look like to respond now, rather than later? [37:38]
The message called us to be faithful stewards and reach souls, not just maintain a building or grow numbers. What is one way you can be a faithful steward or reach out to someone this week—either in person or online? [11:23]

Sermon Clips

You see, God spoke to him. God gave him warnings. Yet God let him keep on going the way he was going. My friend, let me tell you, that's mercy. That's love. That's concern from God. He's one to give you time to understand and reflect upon your actions. It's not that you got away with it. See, God speaks again and again to reach us. This is showing the wonderful love of God. He is a loving God, and God loves us. [00:24:11] (30 seconds) #WithinGodsReach

Now, the way of the disobedience is always dangerous. No matter how spiritual they seem to be, anytime you say no to God. That's why the word of God says the fool has said in his heart, no, Lord. Because when you say no to God, you're getting against the truth, the wisdom. There is no other way. There is no other direction other than God's way. And when God has said this is the way we're supposed to walk, that's the way we're supposed to walk. [00:25:31] (30 seconds) #CallToSurrender

Never let the enemy tell you that you got away with it, you're fighting God, and you don't need it anymore. You need God right now today. You need to understand you did not go out beyond the God's reach of his love. Where can you go to get away from God's love? If you go down or go to Mars, he'll be there waiting on you. You say, what took you so long? Go down to the deepest part of the sea. God's love is still there. Where can you go to get away from God's love? Even Jonah found that out in the belly of the fish. [00:26:36] (30 seconds) #MercyAndJudgment

``If your best life is living in disobedience to God, it is not your best life. You've been lied to. You are in reach of God's mercy. Stop right now and understand that the loving God is still calling to you every single day. You are walking in disobedience. And the enemy is showing you all good things. You're on the right path. Keep going. Keep doing what you want to do. [00:30:36] (26 seconds) #UsedByGod

You did not get away with it. You did not fool God. You did not have a successful in rebellion against God. He's just been merciful to you. He's just been merciful. The grace of God has been extended to you for a period of time. But now, at that time, we need to understand, Jesus, I need you, Lord God. Call his name right now. You're still within that reach. You see, Balaam was still in reach of God's love, of God's mercy. [00:33:22] (32 seconds)

Revelation said, and I gave her space to repent her fornication, and she repented not. He said, I gave her space to repent. God gives us space to repent. Thank God for that love of God. Thank God the first time we rebelled and said no to God because we weren't ready. Thank God for the time that when we said no to him, his mercy was there, his grace was there, and we didn't just fall right into hell right then and there. [00:33:55] (28 seconds)

Don't waste the time that God has given to you by walk around and false arrogance, false pride and say, I did it my way. I wanted to go this way. I want to do that. As that woman said, I'm not ready to come to God right now. There's too many parties out there. There's too many bars, too many things I want to do in life. One of these days, Pastor Tucker, I'll be in church and I'll be your best member. But why wait to one of these days? You may not make it to one of these days because he's still calling you right now. [00:35:33] (28 seconds)

God's mercy is near, his patience is long, his love is real, but his judgment is sure. And there are those that are lying to people and definitely the devil is trying to get you keep going the way you're going but it's time to just stop and realize I did wrong, I got off the path, I veered off somewhere along the line because I thought it would be better for me. I want money, I want a friend, I want the acceptance of this group and that group. But if you've ever heard God's voice and you resisted, if you've ever chosen the world and walked away, if you've ever compromised, then you stay too long in that place. You're still within reach of God's mercy, but it's important that you come to God right now. [00:39:37] (53 seconds)

If he had gone somewhere else and just repented God would have worked it all out for him we probably read about how God worked in his later life and how God was able to use him greatly you but he was slain among them and was slain by them. Brethren, this night, let there be mercy. Understand, you're still within the reach of God's mercy. [00:41:00] (22 seconds)

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