Asking God

She was a very busy lady! Mother of three children, a minister’s wife, loving the Lord with all of her heart, and wanting make each second count for the Lord. She raced around, working very hard, doing it all for Jesus . . . And completely wearing herself out. Ever so gently the Lord began to speak to her heart, making her aware of a need she didn’t know she had.

“Did you ask me if this idea was OF me?” She was a creative person, and had a desire to use every talent she possessed for the Lord, however her “busyness” in His service was becoming a habit. Sometimes she began before she “inquired” if this was something HE really wanted her to do! His words “stopped her in her tracks.” If it wasn’t OF Him . . . How could it really be FOR Him? It was a lesson much needed and well learned. She couldn’t just race through life “doing everything” for God, until she took the time to sit at His feet and ask Him, “what would YOU have me do?”

The men of Israel in Joshua 9 were the leaders of the day. They were wonderful men of God. They had been used of the Lord and seen His miraculous intervention on behalf of His people again and again. Crossing the Jordan . . . Watching the walls of Jericho fall flat . . . They had done the “hard thing” and “routed out” the sin in the camp when Achan disobeyed the Lord.

Then the people of Gibeon showed up among them. These people had heard of the acts of the Living God, and they were afraid. They knew they couldn’t win over the Israelites in battle. Neither did they like the idea of defeat. So, they thought, schemed, and devised a plan of deceit. They made bread — and waited until it was moldy. They disguised themselves to look like they were from far away — when they were from close by.

The Israelite leaders did a lot of things right. They listened to their story. They checked all of their provisions. But the one thing that was most important — this time they overlooked. They did not ask the Lord what they should do. This resulted in a decision that wasn’t God given that cost them an unwanted price to pay.

We serve a God who is willing to help us. His ways are so much higher than ours! Our view is limited — His eyes see all. He knows the schemes of the enemy — and He is well able to protect us. We just have to take the time to ask Him on every decision — no matter how “big” or “small.” His wisdom is the Light we need today!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it with You

“The men of Israel sampled the provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua 9:14