Raise your hand if you ever forgot something important.
Oh, me! I have. My hand is raised sky high.
It’s not something I am proud of but it’s true. In the first few months of my baby’s life, I would always forget to feed my dog. Poor Pep-Pep. He’s such a sweet dog. In the daily hustle of work, breastfeeding, pumping, and tending to my 1st born child, I would often forget that he needed to be fed.
My husband would come home and ask if I had fed him. While I was either plugged up to my breast pump or nursing our child, I would face-palm myself and reply no. After so many times, my husband took on the responsibility of feeding him since I had apparently developed amnesia to anything non-baby related. He still feeds him ‘til this day… and Pep-pep is still a sweet, gentle doggy…
I was reading over in Joshua 9 and discovered Joshua and the children of Israel also forgot to do something important. To recap, Joshua, the leader in command, and the children of Israel had just defeated Jericho and Ai. All the inhabitants of Jordan heard of their victories and formed a coalition against the children of Israel. They were all neighbors to the children of Israel. Everyone, except the inhabitants of Gibeon, decided to bond together to fight against a common enemy. However, the Gibeons had a different idea.
The inhabitants of Gibeon are likely the originators of the slogan “If you can’t beat them, join them.” The Gibeons went to the children of Israel to pledge an allegiance with them...but it was with a hidden agenda. Before they came to the children of Israel they intentionally wore old, worn-out clothes and shoes. They also carried old wine and moldy bread.
Once they made it to the children of Israel, they lied. They stated they had traveled very far to be their servants. They told them their bread was hot and fresh when the ventured out but it had turned old and moldy due to the lengthy trip. The Gibeons pointed out their old clothes, shoes, and wine bottles to further illustrate their “hard, long journey”.
Joshua questioned their motive. But the Gibeons responded that they simply came to serve them because they heard of their great victories in battle. They replied that they knew Joshua and the children of Israel served the true and living God. Neither Joshua nor the elite men of the children of Israel took too much thought on the issue and decided to do the following.
Joshua 9:14–15 (ESV) So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
Three days later, the children of Israel discovered the Gibeons were liars. The Gibeons confessed that they didn't want to die in battle against the children of Israel — so they lied to be their allies. After discovering the betrayal, the children of Israel wanted to annihilate the Gibeons. But they could not renege on their oath. They made a vow to God to be their allies.(people took vows to God seriously back then… wish we did this today!) So instead Joshua deemed them cursed and declared they could never be freed from the bondage of labor to the children of Israel.
But what speaks volumes is verse 14. It states “but they did not ask counsel from the Lord". Sometimes we get into situations that could have been avoided if we had simply asked God for His counsel. It’s so simple yet so important. I can think if multiple times I made a decision but then I would have to double-back and ask myself
“Did I go to God about this?” or “Did I pray about this?”
The children of Israel failed to seek God’s counsel. But it wasn't because they felt as if they didn’t need God's counsel. It was simply because it slipped their minds. Fortunately for them, their lack of counsel did not prove to be lethal. Yet, their forgetfulness should serve as a reminder to us all. We need to seek God in all that we do.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
It says in ALL THY WAYS acknowledge Him. We don’t have a panoramic view of every situation. There was no way for the children of Israel to know the true intent of the Gibeons. They could only take them at their word. But if they hadn’t missed their counseling session with God before making a vow, God would have pointed them in the right direction. We should not make any commitments, vows, or promises without first seeking God’s consultation. It’s a simple solution to potential problems.
The truth is we never know the true intentions of others in the beginning of any relationship… be it romantic, platonic, or business-related. We will never know if we are making the right decision until time floats by and reveals the answer. But what we can do is make the best decision possible by seeking God first. We all tend to be forgetful at times but please don’t forget your consultation appointment with God.
Missed counseling sessions with God can be crucial. Yet, the good thing about this particular counselor is that He is available 24/7. He can always fit you into His schedule. And you don’t have to wait for the next available slot… He’s available now if you need Him.
No, I mean like right now… or in the next minute… or the next hour… or the next day… or the next week… or the next month, or the next year.
It doesn’t matter.
HE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
So, what are you waiting on? Schedule your next appointment for all of your needs… He specializes in everything. I highly recommend Him…
He is the Best. Counselor. Ever.
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