Ask God First!

But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and mouldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” …So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. Joshua 9:3-6, 14-15 (NLT)

I have a statement on my CV which reads – “I work best and smarter when there are little or no ‘hierarchical bureaucratic’ processes to comply with before taking important operational decisions.”

This statement is important in organisations where managers are expected to make operational decisions without having to first obtain approval every time from their bosses. In the corporate world, employers value employees with experience who demonstrate the right behaviours, initiative and who can think on their feet.

To make an important decision, one needs to consider the evidence or facts presented. As children of God working in the corporate world, though decision-making may be based on experience, evidence and facts presented, it is perfectly wise to seek God’s counsel before making that decision.

In this week’s scripture, the Gibeonites sensing that they have no chance of fighting against Israel, resulted to deceive them to stay alive.

The evidence presented by the Gibeonites must have been very convincing for Joshua and the leaders to enter into a peace treaty. Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby!

Since learning of the deception and trickery, why didn’t Israel just revoke or cancel the peace treaty since it had been made under false pretences? Well, they can’t. Because the peace treaty was made under an oath in the name of the LORD. Consequently, loyalty or commitment was owed to the LORD, not to the Gibeonites.

Today, many churches are run like corporate organisations. Where leaders think on their feet and decision-making is based on our human understanding, experience, and feelings.

Without God’s counsel, our human understanding, experience, and feelings can lead us down the wrong path. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Even in the most obvious matter, it is well not to trust too implicitly on our own judgment. However obvious our course may be, let’s make it a habit to seek the counsel of God in prayer. God may have previously dealt with a matter in a particular way. It does not mean He will deal with that matter or a similar matter the same way next time around.

So, is there an important family, work, spiritual, or life decision you are about to make? Talk to God about it first before you make that decision. He will not fail you!

Stay blessed,

Alex