April 18, 2007
So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the Lord. ThenJoshua went ahead and signed a peace treaty with them, and the leaders of Israel ratified their agreement with a binding oath. Three days later, the facts came out –
Joshua 9:14-16a
“He looks so good.”
“I know that this must be a God thing. It seems like it’s the way to go.”
“Why shouldn’t I go to that school? It’s the best university in the state!”
How many times does something look good and you plunge in without talking to God first? We hear it a lot — God has a plan for your life — but is that true? Is that plan so detailed that we need to check it out with God, even if it seems like the right thing to do?
Joshua had a plan. God gave it to him.
A group of men straggled into his camp with moldy bread and worn out sandals. They pleaded their case. It looked good. Making an alliance seemed like a safe thing to do.
The only problem is that appearances were deceiving. These men had put on a good show to make Joshua think they were something they were not.
And yet he bought in to their lie. When the facts came out — and they always do — Joshua realized he had missed one very important detail.
He never checked in with God.
How important is it to ask God first? As followers of Christ, it’s crucial coz of that one word — followers.
God takes you to a place called destiny as you follow him. He’s the map. He’s your GPA system and he knows what’s around the curve. He knows where the snags are that can trip you up. He knows just how high he wants to take you as he helps you discover who you are as a man or woman of God.
So, check it out with him before you dive in. Give God the first option. Wait for that green light, the peace or confirmation that says “yeah, that’s where I want you to go”. That doesn’t mean that God won’t take you into hard places or high places or even places where you have to trust him as he develops your heart and mind. It just means that you know what’s up because you’ve checked in with the God of the universe first.
