“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.” Joshua 9:14
Who hasn’t received an e-mail or a phone call with an offer that sounded too good to be true, but was really just a scam. Many people have been deceived and have ended up losing a lot of money as a result.
God had just given Joshua and the Israelites great victories over Jericho and Ai. The men of Gibeon were filled with fear that they would be defeated as well, so they put their heads together and came up with a great idea. They came to Joshua, pretending to be from a great distance and desiring peace.
Joshua took their story at face value, and agreed to make peace with them. His big mistake was that he did not consult with the Lord first. Just think how he must have felt when he learned the truth and realized he had just been taken in by a scam.
As I read this story, I realized that many times we find ourselves in trouble, because we make decisions without praying about it first. Sometimes when we have had a time of victory and blessing, we may just coast along on that, and neglect to seek God about everything in our life. It is always important that we pray first, before making even minor decisions.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to always seek you first in every decision we make, because you know what is best for us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, ESV) The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I take this sentence very literally and often find myself looking for shortcuts…
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:2-3) I am thankful on this Easter Sunday that we serve a risen saviour! He lived as man, was crucified at the cross for…
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. (Matthew 14:30, NLT) Peter listens to Jesus and climbs out of the boat. Soon after, we find him sinking because he begins to lack the faith that is…
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. (Matthew 7:13, The Message) I was once in an elevator that got stuck…
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD! (Psalm 70:1, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
My prayers often mimic the psalmist’s plea. I speak the modern words for “make haste,” and say, “Hurry, hurry, hurry.” I wait, but nothing happens. Then the situation gets worse. “Don’t You care, God?” are my next prayers. The Scriptures answer me.
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. (Isaiah 40:31, King James Version)
I will trust in God and wait. Waiting will make me strong.
Prayer: Eternal God, I will trust in You, and wait. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. (Psalm 9:1, Holy Bible, New King James Version) Bible scholars say King David offered this psalm to God after the death of his and Bathsheba’s son. At a time when some might…
And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8-10, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
The disciples were fearful when Jesus insisted on returning to Jerusalem for Passover week. They were puzzled when he told them to fetch a young donkey for His arrival. But what a jubilant celebration they encountered when they entered the city.
Matthew describes the greeters as “a very great multitude.” They honored Jesus by laying clothing and tree branches in His pathway as they chanted Scripture that fulfilled prophecy.
Today, we honor God with hosannas of song and praise. We surround Him with worship.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we can’t pave Your way with palm branches on this celebrated day, but we lift our hands in adoration to You, the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
An old children’s game was Follow the Leader. If the leader hopped, every child hopped. If the leader’s arms mimicked a flying bird, every child’s arms flapped. Those games seem to be long gone, replaced by technology, but the principle is still present.
A grocery where I shop recognizes the needs of teaching children to pattern after adults. A sign affixed to a miniature shopping cart identifies each of the young ones as a “Future Shopper in Training.” Those eager children push the tiny carts alongside the larger ones maneuvered by parents. A wise adult distributes the products between both carts, taking care to talk about the items placed in the tiny cart.
“Future Christian in Training” signs might be appropriate for young ones with dedicated parents or other adults who follow this proverb. They are providing miniature “shopping carts” for children to learn how to participate in prayer and worship.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for parents, grandparents, foster parents, Sunday School teachers, and others dedicated to training children to love You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore