Lest we Forget to Inquire

Joshua 9:14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

Joshua and his senior people were deceived! Imagine that! The Gibeonites deliberately lied to Joshua and all of Israel. They wore clothes that were worn, shoes that were worn, clothing and equipment that was very worn and carried molded and dried bread. They told Israel the bread was warm from the oven when they departed their homeland. It saved the lives of the Gibeonites as Joshua and Israel were set to destroy the inhabitants of the land.

There are so many times I wish I had asked counsel of the Lord, but I too failed to bring many matters to him for his wisdom. When I think back about it, I am amazed at how often the Lord pulled me out of serious trouble, quite literally saving me from myself and from some very unwise decisions. Why do we do this? Sometimes, it is because we are in a hurry and we think we have all the answers. Sometimes, we just plain forget to ask the Lord for his take on something. And, other times, we think we are the best one to answer a question because we are the one adrift and immersed in it.

But, none of these reasons are truly reasonable. The creator of the universe and indeed of all creation has all the wisdom, he can see the end before he completes the beginning and he wants the very best for us. Not just what’s good, or better, but the very best. Yet, in order for us to achieve the best, we have to learn to ask and listen, and then obey. So many people hear that word obey, and turn away or discard it. But, therein lies the key to the very best. Why would anyone go to the Lord and ask for his wisdom and then not do what he says? Even if the answer is not the one I wanted, I always strive to obey. Why? Because the Lord wants me to have the very best. Not the easiest mind you. Not the simplest or the most audacious or the things the whole world  is clamoring over. Just the very best for me – because he knows me better than I know myself. Listen to what He says to us:

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, and he shall direct thy paths.

James 4: 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

If we are facing simple or really complicated things, or things hard to bear or hard to understand, or things where life and death hang in the balance – there is no better place to seek wisdom and help than from our Lord. He knows all. He sees all. He knows how each decision will turn out. And, he absolutely wants the best for us. So, bring your cares and every decision to the Lord. Ask for wisdom. Ask him to reveal his will in the matter no matter how simple or trivial it may seem as even every small decision still leads us along a path either with the Lord or one without him. If He isn’t in it, no matter what it is, I don’t want any part of it! What did they used to say? If the Lord isn’t in it, wild horses couldn’t drag me…

And, when you ask – expect an answer! The Lord always answers. If you sense nothing – that is an answer too! It means wait. We are to wait upon the Lord and if we will do that, the blessings are incredible. Keep asking. Rephrase your question because maybe you’re asking the wrong thing. Remember, the Lord is sovereign.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

The Lord loves us! He really does. If we are his, and we have declared him Lord over our lives and over our affairs, then our rightful answer is always “yes Lord”. Ask for wisdom. Ask for guidance. Ask for help in every facet of your lives for he cares for you! And, He will answer! Believe that and live accordingly!

Father, we thank you that we can always count on you! You are not disappointed when we ask for help. You are not disappointed when we confess our weaknesses and ask for strength. You are not disappointed when we ask you to defend us. For you are Father, Abba, daddy! And, we love you and adore with all our being! And, with your help we will love and adore and worship and obey you forever! Praise God! In the mighty name of Jesus we pray! Amen!