Seeking Counsel

Have you ever done something without permission?  I don’t mean anything inappropriate (or illegal, for that matter), but something you just did without consulting anyone?  Have you ever made a decision without praying about it?  I’d have to say that I have been guilty of that myself.  Those decisions don’talways become problematic, but it is a problematic habit to support.  Here in this passage, we find Joshua and his alliance doing just that, as our focus verse tells us that they “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.”  They made an oath with their enemies (unbeknownst to them at the time) because they made a seemingly harmless decision.

The importance here is the understanding that we should seek God’s counsel in the decisions we make.  It is important to make things a matter of prayer and use the bible as our guide.  A good verse to follow up here is Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him [emphasis mine], and he shall direct thy paths.”

If we will seek counsel from the Lord in our decisions, He will direct our paths-He will show us what we need to do.  And when it seems like He isn’t directing us, then it is best to just stand still.  Many a regret has been pinned to hasty decisions.  And when we feel we need further advice, we can go to Proverbs 11:14, as it reminds us that “in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.”  When you are unsure about a decision you are about to make, seek wise counsel.  Surround yourself with those who will advise you not with the answers you want to hear, but with answers that will line up with the Word of God.  Many times I think we are guilty of asking for advice from those who will agree with us rather than asking those who will really consider the situation and give us a Scriptural, wise answer.  Just for today, I will first seek counsel from the Lord in the decisions I make and surround myself with those who will help me seek biblical answers.

Joshua 6-10 Focus verse 9:14