Pray For Direction 03.16.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday March 16, 2007 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Joshua. Please read Joshua 9 -- 10 in your Bible, or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about Israel's treaty with Gibeon; Gibeon being attacked; God's intervention, God causing the sun and moon to stand still; and the Amorite kings being defeated. Today's message focuses on the importance of praying and asking God for direction in all of our decisions.

After Joshua's victories over Jericho and Ai, five kings united to fight the Israelites. However, the Gibeonites, located between the land of the Canaanite kings and the encampment of Israel decided their chances of survival would be greater by making a league with the Israelites rather than by joining with the Canaanite kings in their war with Israel. "And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.....And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us." (Joshua 9:1-2,6)

However, to make such a league was a violation of the Law, "And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee." (Exodus 23:31-33). Israel soon would realize that ignorance of God's Word does not cancel out its results.

This league with the Gibeonites should impress upon us the enemy's skill in deception and how fallible our human reasoning is. "And the men took of their victuals (food), and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them." (Joshua 9:14-16). If Joshua had prayed for the Lord's guidance, the league never would have been made and they would have never been betrayed by the Gibeonites.

This was the second time that Joshua made a decision without directions from God. Joshua was misled by a deception that resulted in a covenant with the Gibeonites. At the time, he was unaware that they were actually Canaanites who were to be destroyed because of their wickedness. The Gibeonites knew they could not stand against the power of God; therefore, they resorted to deceiving Joshua. This decison ultimately resulted in a devastating famine in Israel during David's reign many years later. Joshua experienced how impossible it is to discern God's will by human judgment.

All of us tend to be rather gullible when we don't seek the Lord's guidance. How easy it is to make a decision based on what looks best and fail to pray for the will of God only to see devastation sometimes years later. The natural mind is no match for the supernatural power of Satan for he will often convince us that what we are thinking is God's will only to be fooled. However, God's people are invincible against every force of the enemy when we continue to read through the Bible."Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Knowing the Word of God, we can pray according to His will and not face consequences down the road. It is so important to read and reread the Bible over and over again. No matter how many times you read it, you will always learn something different as God designed it that way. If is only by reading His Word are we able to know how He wants us to live, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17). No other book is inspired of God.

In today's study Jesus Christ is reveal through whom we have victory, "And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." (Joshua 10:25). "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57).

Today's Psalm: 23:5-6
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your plan for our lives. You are the one, True God, and you are all powerful in every aspect of our lives. We want to turn all over to you, but there are parts of us, that we are reluctant to release. We might not even know what it is that we are holding on to, but we can feel that part of our flesh is ruling us more than it should. Holy Spirit, sweep through us. Help us to see what it is that we are unable to let go of, and then minister to our hearts so that we can trust you and follow Your will in our lives. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a wonderful and great Lord's day and always remember He is always with you and will get you through any situation.
God Bless,
Christina

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