Living to Please God: Lessons from Balaam

Devotional

Day 1: Are You Pleasing God?

To truly please God, it is not enough to simply attend church or know the right religious phrases; what matters is the posture of your heart and your willingness to listen and obey Him. Balaam’s story in Numbers 22 shows that it is possible to start out right but lose your way by prioritizing your own ambitions and desires over God’s will. God desires a relationship with you that is marked by genuine devotion, not just outward appearances or titles. Ask yourself honestly: are you living in a way that brings joy to God, or are you just going through the motions? God is calling you to examine your heart and make sure your life is aligned with His purpose and pleasure. [47:08]

Numbers 22:32-34 (ESV)
And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to move beyond religious routine and truly seek to please God with your actions and heart today?

Day 2: Listening to God Above All Else

God’s voice must be the guiding force in your life, above the opinions of others, the temptations of the world, or your own ambitions. Balaam’s downfall began when he stopped listening to God and started listening to the promises of riches and honor from Balak. It is easy to be swayed by the voices around you, but God calls you to be attentive to His direction, to seek His presence daily, and to let His Word shape your decisions. Blessings come not from following the crowd or chasing after what the world offers, but from a heart that is tuned to God’s voice and willing to obey, even when it is difficult. [50:12]

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally listen for God’s voice today, even if it means saying “no” to other influences?

Day 3: Seeking God’s Glory, Not Personal Gain

When your eyes are fixed on what you can gain—whether it’s money, recognition, or comfort—you risk missing the blessings God has for you and may even become blind to His presence in your life. Balaam was so focused on the rewards offered by the king of Moab that he could not see the angel of the Lord standing in his path. God is most pleased when He sees Christ formed in you, when your life is surrendered to His will, and when you seek His glory above your own. True blessing comes from a heart that desires God’s presence and purpose more than any earthly reward. [53:05]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to seek personal gain over God’s glory, and how can you shift your focus today?

Day 4: Don’t Waste Your Life—Live with Integrity

It is possible to desire the rewards of the righteous without being willing to live a righteous life. Balaam wanted the blessings of God but was not willing to surrender fully to God’s will, living a double life that ultimately led to his downfall. God calls you to live with integrity, to be the same person in private as you are in public, and to let your faith be real and evident in every area of your life. Don’t waste your life chasing after empty titles or appearances; instead, choose to stand in God’s presence and give your life wholly to Him. [01:07:31]

Numbers 23:10 (ESV)
Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!

Reflection: Is there any area where you are living differently in public than in private? What step can you take today to align your whole life with God’s truth?

Day 5: Remember Your Commitments and Return to God

God’s desire is to bless you and take you to a place of joy and purpose, but that requires remembering your commitments to Him and returning to Him with your whole heart. Like the prodigal son, it is never too late to come back to the Father and renew your dedication. God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you, and He is always ready to receive you when you turn to Him. Don’t let distractions or disappointments pull you away; instead, focus on living a life that is pleasing to God, rooted in His love and faithfulness. [01:12:39]

Luke 15:17-20 (ESV)
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

Reflection: What commitment to God do you need to remember and renew today, and how will you take a step back toward Him?

Sermon Summary

In life, it’s easy to get caught up in routines, ambitions, and the pursuit of blessings, but the real question we must ask ourselves is: Are we truly pleasing God? Looking at the story of Balaam in Numbers 22, we see a man who started out as a prophet, hearing from God and walking in His will. Yet, over time, Balaam’s heart drifted. He became more interested in the rewards and recognition offered by the world than in remaining faithful to God’s voice. Even when God’s direction was clear, Balaam’s desire for personal gain led him to compromise, to the point where he could no longer discern God’s guidance—even when it came through the very blessings God had given him.

This is a warning for all of us. It’s not enough to hold a title, to be called “Christian,” or to go through the motions of religion. God is not looking for outward displays or empty words; He desires a heart that listens, obeys, and seeks His glory above all else. When we stop listening to God, we start listening to every other voice—our own desires, the opinions of others, the temptations of the world. We risk trading the blessings God has for us for fleeting pleasures and empty promises.

God’s greatest pleasure is to see Christ formed in us, to see us living in genuine relationship with Him, not just performing religious acts. The blessings we seek—peace, provision, healing, purpose—are found in surrender, in daily seeking God’s will, and in living out our faith with integrity both inside and outside the church. When we drift, God allows challenges to come our way, not to destroy us, but to call us back to Himself, to remind us of our need for Him.

It’s time to examine our lives honestly. Are we living to please God, or are we wasting our lives chasing after things that will never satisfy? God is calling us to return, to remember our first love, and to live each day in a way that brings Him glory. The choice is ours: to live for ourselves and end up empty, or to live for God and experience the fullness of His blessing.

Key Takeaways

1. Listening to God Is Essential for Pleasing Him Balaam’s downfall began when he stopped truly listening to God and started following his own ambitions. It’s not enough to seek God’s opinion only when it aligns with our desires; we must cultivate a heart that is attentive and obedient to His voice, even when it challenges our plans. The discipline of listening to God daily keeps us aligned with His will and protects us from self-deception. [49:21]
2. Titles and Outward Religion Cannot Replace Genuine Relationship Balaam wanted to keep the title of “prophet” while his heart was far from God. Many today want to be known as Christians but have long abandoned the relationship that gives that title meaning. God is not impressed by our religious labels or rituals; He desires authenticity, humility, and a life surrendered to Him in every context—at home, at work, and in public. [54:30]
3. Compromise Begins in the Heart Before It Shows in Actions Balaam’s compromise started long before he acted on it; his heart was already leaning toward what the world offered. We must guard our hearts against subtle shifts in loyalty, recognizing that compromise often begins with small decisions to prioritize comfort, recognition, or material gain over God’s clear direction. True blessing comes from steadfastness, not from chasing after what others promise. [47:08]
4. God’s Blessings Are Found in Obedience, Not in Manipulation Balaam tried to manipulate God by repeatedly asking for a different answer, hoping God would change His mind. But God’s will is not subject to our persistence or bargaining. The path to blessing is simple: obey what God has already spoken, trust His wisdom, and resist the urge to twist His arm for our own benefit. [55:53]
5. A Life Wasted Is One Lived for Self, Not for God Balaam’s story is a sobering reminder that it’s possible to waste a life by pursuing personal gain while neglecting God’s purpose. The reward of the righteous is not for those who merely desire it, but for those who live it out daily. Let us not settle for appearances or temporary satisfaction, but strive to live in such a way that, at the end, we can say we truly pleased God. [67:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:19] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[40:56] - Personal Testimony: Trusting God in Challenges
[47:08] - Balaam’s Story: The Danger of Compromise
[48:18] - Ignoring God’s Warnings
[49:21] - The Call to Please God
[50:12] - Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
[51:40] - The Blessing of Obedience
[53:05] - Seeking God’s Glory, Not Personal Gain
[54:30] - Outward Religion vs. Inward Reality
[55:53] - When God’s Answer Doesn’t Change
[62:10] - Overcoming Excuses and Distractions
[64:58] - Don’t Waste Your Life
[67:31] - The Cost of Hypocrisy
[71:51] - The Call to Return and Repent
[74:32] - Closing Prayer and Altar Call
[77:54] - Final Worship and Announcements
[86:07] - Offering and Giving
[87:06] - Honoring One Another and Dismissal
[89:33] - Farewell and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Numbers 22:32-34 (ESV) — > And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

Observation Questions

According to Numbers 22:32-34, what was the reason the angel of the Lord opposed Balaam on his journey?
In the sermon, what were some of the blessings God had given Balaam that he failed to appreciate? ([47:08])
What did Balaam say to the angel after realizing his mistake, and what does this reveal about his understanding of God’s will?
How did the sermon describe the difference between holding a religious title and having a real relationship with God? ([54:30])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that Balaam’s “way is perverse” before God? How does this relate to the choices he was making? ([48:18])
Why do you think Balaam kept asking God for a different answer, even after God had already spoken clearly? ([55:53])
The sermon says that compromise begins in the heart before it shows in actions. What are some signs that someone’s heart is drifting from God, even if their outward actions still look religious? ([47:08])
How does the story of Balaam warn us about the dangers of seeking blessings or recognition from the world instead of from God? ([53:05])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to ask, “Are you pleasing God?”—not just in words, but in the way you live your life. When was the last time you honestly asked yourself this question? What did you discover? ([49:21])
Balaam wanted to keep his title as a prophet, even though his heart was far from God. Are there areas in your life where you are holding onto a Christian label or reputation, but your relationship with God has grown distant? What would it look like to return to genuine relationship? ([54:30])
The sermon mentioned that compromise often starts with small decisions. Can you identify a recent situation where you were tempted to compromise your faith for comfort, recognition, or gain? How did you respond? ([47:08])
Balaam tried to get God to change His answer by asking repeatedly. Have you ever tried to “bargain” with God or ignore His clear direction because it didn’t fit your plans? What happened as a result? ([55:53])
The story of Balaam shows that God sometimes allows challenges to call us back to Himself. Can you think of a time when a difficult situation made you realize your need to return to God? How did you respond? ([01:02:10])
The sermon says, “A life wasted is one lived for self, not for God.” What is one area of your life where you feel you might be wasting time or energy on things that don’t please God? What step could you take this week to change that? ([01:07:31])
The call at the end of the sermon was to remember your first love and live each day for God’s glory. What is one practical way you can seek God’s will and listen for His voice daily this week? ([49:21])

Sermon Clips

``He was more focused on answering the call of the king of Moab. You see, God is most pleased when he sees his son in us. God is pleased when he sees Christ formed within us. And we give ourselves to God and we're standing on the rock, Christ Jesus, when we say, God, come into my life. Take away my sin. Cleanse me. Make me whole. That's when God's pleased with our life. [00:53:45] (28 seconds) #ChristFormedWithinUs

There are some that want to have a bumper sticker on the back of their car. I found him. But everything about their life does not agree with that statement. God's not pleased with that. There are some that have a cross around their neck as if that's going to change anything. God's not pleased just having a cross around your neck. God wants to have Jesus in your heart. The Holy Spirit leading your life. You see, God wants to order our steps aright. And so we can live a right life before him. [00:54:13] (26 seconds) #LiveWhatYouProfess

Some days you're going to have to call upon his name so that you can keep a right spirit and keep on going. Some days you have to dig deeper from strength from God and say, God, I want to be a child of God today. You're keeping your eyes on God. In spite of all the things that they say on the job, in spite of all the difficulties in the marriage, in spite of all the things you've got to do, I want to be a child of God. Keep me, God, in your grace. God's trying to take you to a place of blessing. [01:04:28] (26 seconds) #DrawStrengthFromGod

He wanted the reward of the righteous, but he didn't want to live a righteous life. You know anybody like that? Wanting a reward of the righteous, but not willing to sacrifice and live the life of the righteous. Notice, when you're serving God, God's going to require things of you. When you live for God, God's going to require you to take the steps. At some point or another, you're going to stop the cursing. At some point or another, you stop the drinking. You stop the attitude. Your mind gets changed. Say, if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature. You've got to continue to go on. Don't waste your life being a hypocrite. Don't waste your life being one way in the church and another way outside the church. [01:06:55] (46 seconds) #LiveRighteouslyNotJustDesireReward

If we only want to be religious in the church house and then act like the world when we leave these doors, something's wrong. You've got to be saved in the church, but you've got to be saved when you walk through those doors also. You've got to be saved when you're with your family. You've got to be saved on your job. You've got to make sure that you give your heart and mind to God, or if not, you're wasting your life on a hypocritical life. [01:10:16] (23 seconds) #BeSavedEverywhereNotJustChurch

Brother, so many times people are wasting their lives. You need to realize what you need to do is get to the father. And get to him right now today. Now is the acceptable time. If you're ever going to repent, now is the time. If you're ever going to accept the call, now is the time. If not, you're wasting your life. [01:11:57] (19 seconds) #NowIsTheTimeToRepent

I'd rather have God bless me. I can bless myself. I can do some things. I can go someplace and maybe get some temporary blessings. But why would I want to change all that God's doing for me? When I'm in God, I've got healing. When I'm in God, I've got peace of mind. When I'm in God, I've got protection. I'm rooted to the rock of ages. Why would I want to change all of that? I'd rather have his blessings. [01:13:16] (25 seconds) #RootedInGodsBlessings

It's time that you make up your mind. Just ask yourself sometimes a very tough question. Am I pleasing God? Not just in words, but in the way you live your life, your sacrifices for God, the things that you do for him. [01:13:51] (15 seconds) #LiveToPleaseGodDaily

Are you living for him each and every day for his glory? Think about that. He's calling you this morning. Are you living to obey him? Are you chasing desires like Balaam? Are you seeking God's glory? Or do you have your own agenda? And are you using your life for him or wasting it? [01:14:12] (24 seconds) #ServeGodOrWasteYourLife

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