It’s that time of year, October is here, fall is in the air, the mornings are cooler, and most Michiganders appreciate the changing colors observed in the natural scenery around us. Our God-given human senses are an amazing thing we’ve been gifted to perceive and experience the world around us. The smell of a cup of coffee in the morning can bring a smile to your face. The creaking of a cabin door might bring the excitement of hunting season. The sight and smell of freshly fallen leaves is sure to bring nostalgic memories of childhood. Our human senses are a gift, but they are not the only means by which we obey, respond to, and experience God. Our senses tell us of the world around us and can bring emotions and feelings to well up inside of us, but they are no substitute for consulting God in our decision making. Sometimes what we see, smell, taste, touch, hear and perceive, does not give us the full picture needed when making a discerning decision. Especially a decision that is not ours to make, but Gods.
In the case of the Israelites, Joshua, and the Gibeonites, their senses weren’t sufficient. The reality of Joshua 9:14 was a punch to the stomach for both peoples for many moons to come, “The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” It’s all too often that we make decisions on the basis of moldy breadcrumbs and crusty provisions. We use our senses, our abilities, our experiences, and our knowledge to perceive the climate around us and make life altering decisions based upon that…Without inquiring of the Lord!
Where will I work? Who will I marry? Which church should I attend? When should I retire? Where should I move to? What school should I send my kids to? How strict should I be as a parent? When should I start and when should I stop? We have so many questions, decisions, and discernments to make in our lives, and if all we do is inquire of the selfishness within our senses, we will be sorely mistaken. Like the Israelites deciding on their own held repercussions for generations to come.
We must be very careful to trust our human perceptions and to make judgements based on the appearance of a situation. In fact, the Word of God instructs that we mustn’t lean on our own understanding, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6). Trusting God and submitting to him means that we look to him even when we think we have the right answer. Look to him even when we’ve gone through the same situation before. Look to him when life throws you curveballs, and when it doesn’t. Practice by trusting him with the small things, that way when the big things come, you’re ready to trust him all the more.
In the case of the Israelites, Joshua, and the Gibeonites, their senses weren’t sufficient. The reality of Joshua 9:14 was a punch to the stomach for both peoples for many moons to come, “The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” It’s all too often that we make decisions on the basis of moldy breadcrumbs and crusty provisions. We use our senses, our abilities, our experiences, and our knowledge to perceive the climate around us and make life altering decisions based upon that…Without inquiring of the Lord!
Where will I work? Who will I marry? Which church should I attend? When should I retire? Where should I move to? What school should I send my kids to? How strict should I be as a parent? When should I start and when should I stop? We have so many questions, decisions, and discernments to make in our lives, and if all we do is inquire of the selfishness within our senses, we will be sorely mistaken. Like the Israelites deciding on their own held repercussions for generations to come.
We must be very careful to trust our human perceptions and to make judgements based on the appearance of a situation. In fact, the Word of God instructs that we mustn’t lean on our own understanding, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6). Trusting God and submitting to him means that we look to him even when we think we have the right answer. Look to him even when we’ve gone through the same situation before. Look to him when life throws you curveballs, and when it doesn’t. Practice by trusting him with the small things, that way when the big things come, you’re ready to trust him all the more.