Joshua 9:14-15, "So the men [of Israel] took some of their provisions [and offered them in friendship], and [FOOLISHLY] did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant (treaty) with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation [of Israel] swore an oath to them." (AMP)
It was an amusing billboard, a cartoon drawing of a wide-eyed, bewildered-looking squirrel, holding a broken cable in his paws. The sign that came with it read, "Call before you dig, and gave a toll-free phone number. I have discovered that many utility workers have this problem and have it quite often. Squirrels start digging into the wires and cut right into the utility workers' power lines and cables. Lines which could very quickly be gas lines, phone lines, or cables. And in the process, the happy diggers make a big mess for the utility company and their customers. A confusion that could have easily been avoided had they asked about the dangers before they started digging. Now, squirrels may not know any better, but sadly neither do most people!
Therefore, it is a good idea to check with the people 'in the know' before you start plowing ahead! Our failure to check with the person who is really 'in the know' explains many of the costly mistakes that have caused some of the biggest messes in our lives and the lives of all those connected to us!
Warning: People CONNECTED to You are AFFECTED by You…For Good or Bad! What You Open the Door To, Affects Everyone in The House, Good or Bad.
Whatever you do, always consider the people who may be affected by your actions. Use the scenario "what if" what then." Always think about the consequences of your move. If what I am about to do will affect my family members, friends, church, business partners, as the list goes on. Think about who you are opening the door to. Am I opening the door to Christ in my home, or am I allowing the enemy to come in and cause chaos? Am I allowing drugs to come, extramarital affair, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, as the list continues?
Consider the example in Joshua 9:14-15. The Jews have been winning one victory after another over the Canaanites as they took possession of the Promised Land that God was giving them. Now, they are about to come upon Gibeon, one of the royal cities of Canaan. The Gibeonites have heard about the fall of the other cities the Jews have gone against. They know they are going down next unless they can trick God's people somehow into making a peace treaty with them, which seems unlikely because God's Orders are to remove every tribe from the land and not to coexist with them!
But the Gibeonites are shrewd. They sent a delegation to see Joshua, with donkeys loaded with cracked wineskins and worn-out sacks. They wore patched sandals and old clothes, and they carried dry and moldy bread with them. The whole scam was to make it LOOK LIKE they were from far away and that they had come on a long journey. Here's how Joshua and his men decided what to do with these Gibeonites. The Bible says, "The Israelites sampled their provisions (so they made sure the bread was dehydrated and moldy) BUT THEY DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath." (NIV)
Within days, the Jews learned that the Gibeonites were not from far away; in fact, they were from close by. But because they had been tricked into this treaty, they could not, by honor, remove them as God had initially commanded. As a result, the hands of the Jews were tied for years to come, and the treaty sparked a significant battle with other armies. How did this mess happen? Well, in a nutshell, they did not call before they dug, much like the squirrels! They decided based on what SEEMED right to them, but they made the fatal mistake so many of us have made so many times before –THEY DIDN'T CHECK WITH HEAVEN…THEY DIDN'T CHECK WITH GOD! And so, they blew it! And so do we!
Listen to the text in varying translation:
"The Israelites TRIED some of the food, BUT THEY DID NOT ASK THE LORD IF HE WANTED THEM TO MAKE A TREATY." (CEV).
"The men of Israel wanted to know if these men were telling the truth. So, they TASTED the bread – BUT THEY DID NOT ASK THE LORD WHAT THEY SHOULD DO." (ERV).
"The Israelites ACCEPTED some food from them BUT DID NOT CONSULT THE LORD ABOUT IT." (GNT).
"Joshua and the other leaders finally believed them. THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO ASK THE LORD BUT WENT AHEAD AND SIGNED A PEACE TREATY…" (TLB).
Now, this is where many of us mess up and get messy! Like the Israelites, we will try it; take some; taste it; sample it, exam it, believe it, and even eventually accept it but what we fail to do is ask God what to do about it and with it! The Israelites (like many of us) were cautious, and they checked out what was presented to them; however, the final decision was not theirs to make (and not ours either)!
"The Israelites took some of their supplies, BUT THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY DECISION FROM THE LORD." (CEB)
And can we be honest? We Get in the Worst Predicaments Because We Forget God Knows Best!
The decision was the Lord's to make! They were to consult Him. And even with the findings, He allows us to be a part of, we can still consult the Lord! And it is not because they did not know any better, so they do not even have that as a justifiable excuse, and neither do we!
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom [TO GUIDE HIM THROUGH A DECISION OR CIRCUMSTANCE], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to Him." (AMP)
When God Himself is telling you to use His Wisdom, only a Fool will refuse!
God is there to Help, Not to Hinder us! But He is not rudely forcing Himself on us either! But He is laid out for us the safest way to travel if only we would adhere to it! Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart AND DO NOT RELY ON YOUR INSIGHT OR UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS, know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and HE will make your paths straight and smooth [REMOVING OBSTACLES THAT BLOCK YOUR WAY]." (AMP) Do you realize just how smooth this journey of ours could be if only we would humble ourselves enough to follow His lead? We would not even have to worry about the bumps in the road along the way because He promises to "…remove obstacles that block our way." But no, we insist on doing things our way! And what is the result of that decision?
Proverbs 16:25, "There's a way that looks harmless enough; look again – it leads straight to hell." (MSG) Indeed that is the destination you were hoping to reach.
And if you have not found your life's Purpose yet, TALK TO GOD! "EVERYTHING…FINDS ITS PURPOSE IN HIM" (Colossians 1:16 MSG). EVERYTHING finds its Purpose in Him, and it is fulfilled through Him! Listen: Before you spoke your first word or took your first step, GOD HAD A PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE! You say, "But I've failed so badly." Maybe, BUT YOU'D BE AMAZED AT WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH A BROKEN LIFE—WHEN YOU GIVE HIM ALL THE PIECES! As poorly put together as you think you are, your Purpose is found in God, and He will not allow you to lose it! Your mistakes, missteps, errors, and even deliberate sins, transgressions, and iniquities still cannot stop God from producing what He has placed in you! Repent, Turn, Change, and Be Fully Restored so You Can Finally Become All God Destined You to Be! And let no one make you think it is more complicated than that!
Think of all the divorces that could have been avoided had the individuals sought the Lord FIRST! When our children messed up, imagine how quickly they could have cleaned up if we FIRST helped them God's way instead of ours! The many soul ties that would never have tangled up your peace of mind if only you had sought the Lord's decision in the matter, FIRST! How many broken hearts would not have needed years to mend if only we sought the Lord FIRST? Many of us would not have to start over (for the 97th time, just this week) if only we had sought the Lord FIRST! So much unnecessary pain, so many unnecessary complications, and difficulties and conflicts, and all because we failed to seek God's direction FIRST! And in this day and time of reading your horoscope; find your inner self; reach for a higher power; let them read your palm; check out the tarot cards; let the soothsayers soothe you; (You Need to Know to Seek God FIRST!)
Isaiah 8:19-22, "When people tell you, "Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists. Why not tap into the spirit-world, get in touch with the dead?" Tell them, "NO, WE'RE GOING TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES." People who try the other ways get nowhere – a dead end! Frustrated and hungry, they try one thing after another. When nothing works out, they get angry, cursing first this god and then that one, looking this way and that, up, down, and sideways – and seeing nothing, a blank wall, an empty hole. They end up in the dark with nothing." (MSG)
And why would anyone want to waste time on such Foolishness when you have direct access to the Wisdom of God? That is Who you seek FIRST! When you are wondering which direction and what to do, seek God FIRST! Jeremiah 33:3, "This is God's Message, the God who made the earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: "Call to Me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own." (MSG) With that as your best option, how could you choose anything different? You do not have to figure out life on your own (and thank God, because clearly, WE are not good at decision-making on our own)! And who cares, since we can call to our Father, and He will answer His children with marvelous things that we do not have to keep digging to find on our own!
Isaiah 65:24, "I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking to Me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" (TLB) Why try to figure out something God has already figured out? All you must do is ask Him for the answer!
Do not you see, we are much like the Israelites, as soon as something (or someone) APPEARS to be alright; APPEARS to check out; APPEARS to be on the up-and-up, we jump headlong into a mess with eyes wide open! What am I saying? Ask God Before You Decide. This could save your very life!
However, the truth is, we neglect to check with God for many reasons. We are in too big of a hurry, we are feeling pressured by other people, we compromise for the sake of convenience, or we plainly know how we want it to be, and we stubbornly blaze ahead with our own will. Sometimes, we may even be doing God's thing, but it is not God's time, or it is not God's way, which is why it is so vital that we "lean not on our understanding," which can only see part of the picture. When you consult with the Lord, you get direction from the only One who can see the whole picture. That is why counsel before decisions is so important! Proverbs 15:22, "Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed." (MSG)
Listen, in 2 Chronicles 18:4. King Jehoshaphat gave King Ahab this advice before he went running off into battle: "…FIRST, seek the counsel of the Lord." (NIV) Here are a few additional translations:
"…Please inquire FIRST for the Word of the Lord." (AMP).
"…FIRST, let's see what the Lord has to say." (CEB).
"But FIRST, let's ask the Lord what to do." (CEV).
"But FIRST, let's ask the Lord for advice." (ERV).
"…BUT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, ASK GOD FOR GUIDANCE." (MSG).
"…But FIRST we should ask if this is the Lord's Will." (NCV).
Are you starting to see the clear picture now? There's a plan in place; however, Jehoshaphat (the wise leader) says, FIRST, let's inquire of the Lord; let's see what the Word of the Lord is for today; let's see what He has to say; let's ask Him what we should do; let's ask for His advice; let's find out what He has to say about this particular matter; let's consult Him; let's see if this is even His Will; BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING… LET'S ASK GOD TO GUIDE US! Yet, even with all that admonishment, in the end, King Ahab did not, and because he did not, he died in that battle!
Do I dare ask how much money you would not have lost if you sought God FIRST? How much of your integrity, dignity, and character would still be intact if you sought the Lord FIRST? How many mistakes and missteps could you have avoided if only you asked if this or they were in His Will for your life? Maybe you would not have lost the job, the house, the car, the career, the ministry, or church, if only you would have asked God for His guidance before deciding to Go Your Way Only to Have Crashed Over the Cliff Where He Already Had Warning Signs in Place!
And LEADERS, this is dangerous for us as well; listen to the text again in closing: "JOSHUA AND THE OTHER LEADERS finally believed them. They did not bother to ask the Lord but went ahead and signed a peace treaty" (TLB).
Leadership Means We are Responsible for Everyone on Board, Whether We Sail Safely, or Sink Fatally. Therefore we (above all people) ought to use the Wisdom God has made available to us to lead people according to His Word, Way, and Will and NOT That of Our Own! Because in the end, these LEADERS decided (WITHOUT GOD) that affected the WHOLE CONGREGATION. And if we dare make the wrong decision, the Body of Christ is damaged. Because you cannot hurt your pinky, and the rest of your hand does not know what happened. And in the Body of Christ, whatever we do in the body, affects the whole body. So, let us start today by asking the Lord to lead and guide us in the way we should go, not in the way we want to go. Let us ask the Lord for His decision, His Word, His Will, His Way, and His Timing.
Why? Because we can avoid many problems and a lot of pain if only, we will instinctively check with God FIRST. Let us stop being like squirrels on power lines, digging in and causing disruption to everyone and everything. Let us decide today to stop making messy decisions!
I share this because we have entered another Year; we are in the middle of another New Year. We have much indeed to be grateful for. However, this is also the time and season when everyone wants to be something new, try something new, go somewhere new. And nothing is wrong with New, when it is the Lord's doing: Isaiah 43:18-21, "This is what God says…Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'M ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING BRAND-NEW. It is bursting out! Don't you see it?" (MSG) If something is to be New, let Him do it instead of you attempting to experiment with it! Let God change it; alter it; move it; or send it not you trying to make things (you want but may not need) to happen!
This year, make one resolution only. SEEK GOD FIRST! Do not go grabbing shovels and seeking new land and start digging where God never intended you to. Wait! Seek His Counsel, whether it is for marriage; a relationship; a friendship; a job offers; a school choice; a career move; leaving or starting a church; or going to the store to make a purchase Wait on the Lords' Timing and Direction and You will Never Be Steered Off Course!
Think about it, haven't we already made the foolish mistake of making decisions without the Lord's consult and Wisdom? And as bad as those choices and consequences turned out to be, do you want a New Year, with the same Old You, making all the same old errors again? Of course not. So, this year, if it is the Last thing you do, SEEK THE LORD FIRST…Before You Start Digging and Deciding!
Matthew 6:30-33, "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, not to be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who do not know God and how he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Do not worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (MSG)
Psalm 37:23-24, "The steps of a [good] man is directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him." (AMPC)
REMEMBER: ONLY FOOLS REFUSE GOD'S WISDOM!
Psalm 14:1, "The [spiritually ignorant] fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
Romans 1:22, "Claiming to be wise, they became fools," (AMP)
Proverbs 18:2, "A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity]." (AMP)
Proverbs 9:8, "Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you; Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you." (AMP)
Proverbs 26:4, "Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly; otherwise, you, even you, will be like him." (AMP)
Proverbs 29:11, "A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back." (AMP)
Proverbs 13:20, "He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm." (AMP)
But the tongue of the wise brings healing." (AMP)
Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger dwells in the heart of fools." (AMP)
Ephesians 5:15-16, "Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil." (AMP)
Blessings
J.P. Olson
www.thewordwithjpolson.org
No comments:
Post a Comment