Talk With God About It! By Melinda Skau.
After Joshua and the people of Israel entered the Promised Land, nearby nations became afraid because they had seen how God was helping Israel win battles.
One group, the Gibeonites, decided to trick Israel instead of fighting them. They wore old clothes, carried worn-out sandals, and brought dry, moldy bread. They came to Joshua pretending they had traveled from a very far country.
They requested, “Please make a peace agreement with us.”
Joshua and the leaders inspected their old bags, torn sandals, and stale bread. Everything seemed to prove their story of a long journey. So they believed them and made a promise of peace.
But there was one serious problem: Joshua and his leaders did not ask God first.
The Bible says they examined the evidence, but they did not seek the Lord’s advice.
A few days later, Israel discovered the truth—the Gibeonites actually lived nearby and had lied to them. Joshua and the leaders were stuck because they had already made a promise before God, so they had to keep it.
This story found in Joshua, chapter 9, teaches an important lesson: not everything that looks right is right. People can be convincing, and situations can seem obvious, but wisdom comes from asking God first.
Before making decisions—friendships, jobs, relationships, moves, or commitments—we should pray and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Joshua 9 reminds us:
Good judgment is helpful, but God’s guidance is better.
My husband and I discovered this lesson personally this week. We booked an expensive vacation rental for our son’s wedding weekend without waiting on the LORD’s wisdom. Oh my! We trembled in anxiety when we realized our costly error was wrong and final! We called the rental company and the credit card company, only to be told there was absolutely no escape from our painful contract.
Then we prayed, “LORD, we have made a foolish, impulsive error! Please forgive us for not talking to You before we made this purchase. Can You help us?”
After many emails and texts, my husband finally reached the owner by phone. “It’s no problem,” he reassured us. “ There is a baseball team who needs the venue the exact dates you reserved. I will give you a full refund.”
Grace! Like a cooling rain of relief on the fire of our regret. Those few words canceling our bad deal untied all the knots of 24 hours anxious distress. God granted us undeserved favor!
Pro 3:5 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths smooth. (God’s Word version, caps added)
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