The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 23; Joshua 24:14-15 (day two)  “But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.” Vs. 8

Joshua had seen the nation of Israel as far as he could go. Another moment of transition was upon them, and these words were a fitting end to his ministry. They were a reminder that although God had delivered nations, lands, and blessings to the people of Israel they were still surrounded by foreign cultures that were in opposition to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God’s past deliverance is not a get out of jail card from all future trials and temptations. Joshua’s counsel to his people was to remember, tell the stories of God’s faithfulness, and hold true to the word.

When we are freed from sin and places of darkness it is common to have a period of clean living followed by a return to the old life. If you are delivered from darkness it stands to reason that those temptations haven’t disappeared. God wants us to remember where we’ve been, and how he freed us from bondage so that we will not repeat those mistakes. Cling to his word, trust his promise, live in his mercy.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 23; Joshua 24:14-15 (day one)

“Be strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses”–23:6

Joshua is an old man by this time.  Some scholars say he is 110 years old!  Long history with these people.  He knew their fathers and grandfathers.  The Exodus and the wilderness years.  Years of conquest.  He has seen it all.

As they begin to “get settled” in a new home, Joshua has some last words for them.  Not NEW words.  In fact, in his last address Joshua essentially tells them what God told him 30 years before. (Compare 23:6 with 1:6-7)

Pay attention to God’s word!  Don’t alter it or water it down!  Stay true!  As you do, God will continue to provide His powerful help.

It is our message too, and, I believe, the reason FBCSA exists.  “God blesses those who approach Him through His word”.  Courage required.  Blessing promised.  Some things change.  This never does.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day seven)

“So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask the counsel of the Lord.”–v 14.

It was a lesson learned for Joshua.  Painful.  Embarrassing.  Valuable.  Before you make a decision, ask God for His counsel!

Other heroes eventually reach the same conviction and practice.  “David inquired of the Lord.”–1 Samuel 30:8.  Also 2 Samuel 5:19.

Same with our Savior.  Jesus never made a decision without spending time alone with the Father.  Seeking counsel.  Surrendering His own desires and perspective.

Us?  The jury is still out, I think.  It is hard to find time for prayer.  Being still is a demanding task.  Waiting, discerning the right question, facing honestly whether we are willing to hear and obey–tough assignments all.  So, and this is my fear, sometimes we SAY we will pray more than we actually DO. New Pastor. . .nation. . .guidance.  What would God say, if we asked HIM for counsel?

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day six)

If you want my personal opinion, I do not think the outcome would have changed all that much even if Joshua had sought God’s counsel after meeting with the Gibeonites. The only change would have been that Joshua and the elders would have not looked so foolish. It is clear the Gibeonites acted out of a proper fear for the God of Israel; they acted in faith. I can’t presume to know; the Bible doesn’t hint one way or another, but like Rahab before them I believe God would have blessed their faith.

So, then what is the purpose of Joshua 9:14, “So the men…did not ask counsel from the Lord.” If the outcome likely would have been the same, why bother saying that at all. It is an essential part of the story because the emphasis in Joshua is God’s dynamic relationship with his people in the conquest of Canaan. He will lead them; he will fight their battles. The invitation is clear, “Come to me, seek my counsel. Meet with me and hear my voice.” Joshua and the men neglected that relationship. And we can too. Heed God’s invitation; it is where peace, contentment and joy is found.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day five)

Up to this point, there was a key ingredient in the progress and effectiveness of the Israelites: a word from God. God told the people when and how to cross the Jordan. He gave instructions on what to do after crossing. He provided guidance on the logistics of attacking Jericho. God also provided divine instruction for the ambush and destruction of Ai. Yet, when deciding the course of action with the Gibeonites, the Israelites stray away from the formula. (see Joshua 9:14) There was no word from the Lord because they did not seek it.

We must recognize there is more to this world than just the reality of the physical and material world. Scripture is clear about the spiritual world as well. Ephesians 6:12- “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Scripture gives this same insight for making good decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day four)

Discernment is one of those Christ-like character qualities that can keep us on the narrow track of obedience.  Discernment is being able to see both sides of an issue and then, through the filter of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit, being able to determine the difference between the right and the wrong decision.  Often, discernment becomes that ‘still, small voice’ or that ‘red flag of caution’ that tells us which way to go or what decision to make.  Being attentive to the voice of the Lord requires us to have been regularly in His presence so that we recognize His voice.  Once we recognize His voice, our obedience will determine our response to it.

We don’t really know if Joshua and Israel just never bothered to check with God or if they knew better, but chose to disobey.  Either way, it was sin and they had to deal with the consequences for the rest of their lives.  Before we condemn though, we need to ask ourselves if we are seeking God first in every decision.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day three)

“They resorted to a ruse.”  The Gibeonites were attempting to stay alive–and they succeeded.  The Israelites did not attempt to learn wisdom from God to see through this charade, but that’s not the Gibeonites’ fault.  In fact, we all should be so shrewd.  Jesus said in Luke 16 that we have much to learn from those who use their minds to find new ways around old problems.  He seemed to recognize a tendency of those who have known God’s favor to grow spiritually and intellectually complacent.  We tend to make plans for the future God has made available to us while we ignore today.  But we won’t have a future until we rightly steward the present.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day two) So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. vs. 14

 Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you are living within our land? vs. 22

Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware. I have never been good at negotiating. Whether with my siblings, or for a new car, or house. I suppose most savvy business folks would say that I don’t have what it takes to secure the deal. My problem is always the same. I begin with the assumption that everyone will be completely forthcoming in the process. I will be very forthright about what I can pay or exchange, and I assume that you will do the same. To put it another way, I always put all my cards on the table from the start. It’s a very trusting posture, but not a very sound one in making deals.

I have learned this about myself, and as such I try to never make a deal on the fly. I force myself to stop, sleep, and pray. If I can’t find peace about it, it is not for me. Joshua would have been wise to follow this advice. He looked at the situation and assumed he understood. He did not seek the Lord’s counsel, and as a result were deceived.

Nothing is worth getting ahead of God.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day one)

“When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho. . .they acted craftily.”–v 3-4.

One of Satan’s oldest strategies.  Snake-like subtlety.  “You won’t die”, he whispered to Eve (Genesis 3).  “It won’t matter”, he whispers to us with each offered temptation.  Liar.

The Gibeonites are his disciples in Joshua 9 and, sadly, the people of God fell for the deception.  “So the men of Israel took some of their provisions and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. . .and made a treaty with them, to let them live.”–v 14-15.

Feel like you are being lied to these days?  More than likely you are!  And the only remedy is to seek daily counsel and correction from the One who truth in His very nature.

“Do not be deceived!”–Galatians 6:7.  The problem is not that people lie.  The problem is that we listen to them without seeking counsel from God.

Re:Verse reading–Mark 15:16-20, 24-40; Mark 16:1-8 (day seven)

“When they looked up, they saw the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.”–16:4

It was an object lesson. One of many on that history-shattering morning. Silent, powerful testimony.  The first thing they noticed.  Their worries had been unnecessary.  God had already rolled away the stone.

It spoke to them of God’s power.  “You shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”–Matthew 17:20.  Over time we realize.  Our “problems” are not really the problem.  What we lack is confidence in God.

The stone spoke of God’s promise and provision.  Waters will part and obstacles will remove from the road that God calls us to walk.

But, sometimes the “stone” is not ON my path but IN my heart.  God will make the way possible, but ONLY for those willing to walk forward in faith.  The stone said so.