Prayer Journal

Thursday, November 7, 2002

"The men of Israel sampled their provision but did not inquire of the Lord." Joshua 9:14

For what should we pray and when should we seek God's will in prayer? If you find yourself many times asking this question, you may be comforted with the knowledge that some great men before you also had a problem with it.

Joshua led his fighting men to battle against the town of Ai. He used trickery to seduce enemy soldiers out of their city to pursue his men. When the enemy had left the city, other troops, hiding in the rear of the city, attacked the defenseless city and burned it. Then, Joshua's men turned on their pursuers and killed them as they ran back to the burning city.

It was by God's Word that Joshua subdued the city of Ai. However, the self-confidence of Joshua and his fighting men proved to be a vulnerability that would prove embarrassing.

God told Joshua to take every neighboring city by force, subdue it and clean it out - literally. But the people in the neighboring city of Gibeon had a plan to avoid being killed. These Hivites dressed in clothing that looked like they had endured a long journey and put on shoes that were worn out. As then approached Joshua, they claimed to be from a town a long way away and requested a treaty with God's people.

The deception continued as the Hivites offered their old wine along with dried up, crusty and molded bread to the Israelites as evidence of their long journey claim. When the provisions were consumed by the Israelites, the bait was taken - hook line and sinker. They then made an oath with God's enemy without ever asking God's opinion.

Three days later, the deception was uncovered and the people were upset with their leaders (which included Joshua). As Joshua approached the Hivites, he asked a really stupid question, "Why did you deceive us?" I can see the Hivite leader, smiling as he scratched his head saying, "I know! Maybe it was the fact you would have killed us had we not."

You may think such an error was an infrequent occurrence. I think not!It seems that asking God's opinion falls way down the chart of things to do when we don't know what to do.

Are you facing the unknown today? Confused? Do you want to do that which pleases God? Then I ask you what someone should've asked Joshua when he faced such a dilemma: Don't you think we should pray about it first?

Just Thinkin'.. WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2002 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved

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I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
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* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
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* Persecuted church
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* Myself