Vipers of Pride: 'I Don't Need to Pray' - Saturday May 18, 2013
So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. Joshua 9: 14-15 ESV
In Joshua 9, the Israelites are conquering the Promised Land. They have defeated Jericho, and one by one they are taking out their enemies, just like God commanded them to do. The people of Gibeon, a local town, decided to trick the Israelites. They dressed up in old clothes, brought old, rotten bread, and acted like they had been on a very, very, very long journey.
The Gibeonites arrived and said, "We will be your servants, we live way far away, please don't kill us, make a treaty with us." Joshua and the leaders said, "Are you tricking us?" And, of course, the people of Gibeon replied, "No way, look how worn out our stuff looks."
So the Israelites made a treaty with their enemies, and forgot to ask God!
Do we say, "I got this one, God. I'm on it"? Maybe you have a few potential roommate situations, but forget to ask God to guide you. Or perhaps you have some job opportunities, but haven't sought God on them. Have you ever forgotten to pray over your many church activities? Do we forget to pray over our marriage and in doing so say, "Yes, I can figure out this marriage thing without your help, Lord." A proud person forgets or neglects God, and this can play out in lack of prayer.
If you want to wake up one day with a house full of snakes in the walls, then neglect prayer!
Submitted by:
Josh Whitney
Faithwalkers Midwest 2012
Bruised,
One-Year Reading Plan:
1 Samuel 22:1-23:29
John 10:1-21
Psalms 115:1-18
Proverbs 15:18-19
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