Consult God First: The Key to Wise Decision-Making

“Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.” – Joshua 9:14

Open Bible showing the text of Joshua chapter 9, specifically verse 14 on a rustic wooden table with a candle holder and lit candle in the background. — Joshua 9:14

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Who Do You Consult First?

Seeking godly advice before making decisions is crucial. Even more so, consulting God for His guidance is paramount. How often do you inquire of God before you make a big decision – or even a smaller one?

The Danger of Moving Without God

If we fail to consult God in our decision-making, we are setting ourselves up to fail.

That’s what happened with Joshua and the Israelites. The inhabitants of Gibeon saw all the works of God and His protection over the children of Israel. They were afraid the Israelites would overtake them like many of the surrounding nations.

So they devised a scheme to trick Joshua and the Israelites into making an oath with them that the Israelites would make peace with them and not harm them (Joshua 9).

Well, Joshua and the people of Israel made the covenant with the Gibeonites. But, “they did not ask counsel of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14). And because they chose on their own, they were deceived.

And later, the Saul’s descendants would die at the hands of the Gibeonites after Saul broke the previously made covenant.

Leaning on God, Not Our Own Understanding

The biblical account of the Gibeonites’ deception is a great reminder for us all. We must trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, as Proverbs 3:5 admonishes us. We must acknowledge God in all our ways and step aside so that He can direct our paths.

May we learn this cautionary tale and always consult the Lord in everything we do.

Are you facing a decision right now where you need to step aside and let God take the lead? If you aren’t in the throes of decision-making right now, has there ever been a time you rushed ahead with a decision without praying first? What did that situation teach you about trusting God’s guidance? Drop a comment below!

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