The facts or the truth

Reference: Joshua 9:14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.

Observation: The Gibeonites had manipulated the facts; their bread and wine bags made it look like they had come a very long distance. As a result the leaders of Israel made a treaty with them believing that they were not living in the Promised Land area. How wrong they turned out to be. They had been deceived and paid for it dearly in the years following.

What did they do wrong? They followed the evidence, like good CSI’s, but they did not ask God. If we want to save ourselves from deception, before we make an important decision (signing a contract, entering into a partnership, a major purchase for example) we should slow down and ask God what He thinks.

The Book of James promises that God will give wisdom when we ask; but we need to remember to ask and we need to be willing to act on that wisdom even if it means that we pass up something that seems really, really good. Remember, the apparent facts do not always reveal the truth, but God will!

Application/Confession: I can get so busy and moving so fast that I forget to simply "inquire of God" about the decisions in my life. I really want to walk with my heart open to hear what He has to say about anything I do.

PRAYER: Keep my ears open Lord. Help me not to be deceived by the "facts" but to look to you for the truth in every situation.