Do you seek God with the life changing decisions?
So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. — Joshua 9:14
When we need to make a big decision, whether it is buying a new house, finding a new job, seeking a spouse, or exploring a new investment opportunity, we often seek counsel from God because we do not want to make a mistake. When the stakes are high, we want clear direction from God. What about situations when the facts are obvious? When you have been seeking for an opportunity and only one door is opened, isn’t that a clear sign from God? Or what about small and insignificant situations? Should I “bother” God with such small matters that do not really matter from a heavenly perspective? In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceived the Israelites to make a covenant with them. Even though some Israelites where suspicious (Joshua 9:7), they examined the physical evidence and proceeded with the covenant. Since a covenant in the Old Testament is a “chosen relationship in which two parties make binding promises to each other” (crossway.org), the leaders should not have made the decision in haste, but inquire of the LORD through prayer, and even fasting. However, based on earthly standards, “Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them” (Joshua 9:15a).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, in the fast-paced world we live in, we are forced to make many decisions in life. One study shows that adults make 35,000 decisions daily! Instead of seeking God with the life-changing decisions, let us make a habit of inquiring of the LORD in all of life. We ask counsel from God not only by prayer and fasting, but also by reading God’s Word. As we read last week, let us remember that
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. — Joshua 1:9
Let us not take anything for granted and rely on our Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ.
