God Is The Center Of Our Decision-Making Process….

I wonder how often believers get caught up in their daily lives and end up making major decisions without consulting with God on the issue. I will admit, I’m guilty of this. I get caught up in the moment and find myself rationalizing or telling myself, “this is not important to God, don’t bother Him”. Then, of course, when it doesn’t work out or backfires, the only person I can blame is myself. This is exactly what happened to Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua chapter 9. The Gibeonites feared the Israelites God, so they concocted this elaborate story to deceive Israel into making a vow not to destroy them. It worked. It worked because Joshua and His people didn’t consult the Lord before making this lifetime committing decision. They were supposed to destroy all the people in the “Promised Land”. And they are still paying the price for it today. The moral to the story is never forget God, and don’t leave Him out of your decision-making process, no matter how small or insignificant you “think” it may be, for God is the center of our decision-making process. Leaving Him out, only guarantees future disappointment.

14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.16 Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! 17 The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty. 19 But the leaders replied, “Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them. 20 This is what we must do. We must let them live, for divine anger would come upon us if we broke our oath. 21 Let them live.” So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed.22 Joshua called together the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you lie to us? Why did you say that you live in a distant land when you live right here among us? 23 May you be cursed! From now on you will always be servants who cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.” Joshua 9:14-23