trbccoffeebreak

“The Israelites tried some of the food, but they did not ask the Lord if He wanted them to make a treaty.”  Joshua 9:14 (CEV)

Joshua and the Israelites had just won a battle with Jericho and Ai.  News spread quickly, and the  Gibeonites sent men to make peace with Joshua to protect their nearby land.  They lied and said they had traveled a long journey to get to Joshua when really they were just around the corner.  God had promised Joshua all the land in front of him; but since the Israelites didn’t ask God’s guidance in their situation, they fell prey to the Gibeonites’ trap of lies.  They lost the land intended for them.

We so many times have people coming to us with sincere burdens.  We want to help, but often we act immediately without praying and seeking God’s wisdom.  We might give away the blessing intended for us, like the Israelites,  if we don’t wait for an answer from God.  God’s plan is always perfect.  Our good intentions sometimes cause extra work for ourselves and those who are burdened because we tried to take the world on our own shoulders.  We think to ourselves, this is no biggie – I can fix it.  God’s work is always best left to Him, and we are always to seek His guidance before we act.  Remember our mother’s advice as a child “Stop, look and listen before crossing.”

“Father, thank You for the reminder that it is always Your plan not mine;  I must always seek Your guidance.”

For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break