Get the Message
By Rev. Jarrett Washington, MACE, MDiv, Contributing Writer
Joshua 9:12 says, “Here is our bread; it was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey, on the day we set out to come to you, but now, see, it is dry and moldy.” My grandmother’s favorite hymn said, “Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
There is power in simply inquiring about next steps with the Lord. Even in our recognition that God is omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresent, God still wants us to seek God’s counsel. When we do not pray, we open the door for the enemy and the enemy’s devices to steal, kill, and destroy the very destiny over our lives.
Deception is real. Manipulation is ever-present. We need prayer. In Joshua, the Lord had already given Joshua directions on how he was to enter into the land of Canaan. God had already explained to Joshua that he had to be strong and courageous. Furthermore, God admonished him to never allow the word of God to depart from his forefront. Joshua was told to never turn to the left or right; but rather, simply meditate upon the very scriptures of God. As Joshua listened to the Lord, the Lord would bless him and the children of Israel.
All Joshua had to do was listen to God and God would lead, guide, and direct him. Yet, in the ninth chapter, the Gibeonites deceived Joshua. They came to his tent and the leaders of the congregation wooed them with a deceptive story. They explained to Joshua that they have traveled a great distance and have heard of all the works of God. The Gibeonites explained that when they left home, they brought with them hot bread and fresh wine; yet, after the long travel, the bread had grown stale and moldy and the wine was dissipated in the torn wineskins. Quite frankly, they have nothing.
Joshua quickly, without much thought, accepts the story of the strangers and makes a covenant with them. Joshua compels the leaders of the Israelite congregation to agree with him in this covenant. After three days, Joshua receives word that the people with whom he made the covenant are his neighbors and enemies to the destiny of his people.
The reader is led to conclude that Joshua is crushed. How could he make such a terrible mistake? The answer is that he chose not to pray or seek the counsel of God.
I challenge you to check every conversation you have and come to some conclusion as to whether the conversation lines up with God’s promises for your life. If it doesn’t line up with His word for your life, end it. Don’t invite anyone into your presence that does not understand the hand of God over your life. The truth is that every decision you make must be guided in prayer. There is nothing too big, hard, or small for God to handle. Don’t allow your emotions to set you up for disaster. Seek God and wait on God’s answer.
