Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”
Judges 1:1 (NKJV)
Joshua had died, and Israel had no leader at this point in the Promised Land. The people of Israel had been used to a way of life prior to this. They had received instructions from Moses and had to follow, and received instructions from Joshua and had to follow. Not once had any of them had to receive directly from God in order to do something for the Nation. But now, the situation has changed.
Have you ever been in that situation where you have had someone guide you through so much turmoil and turbulence in your life, and then after a little rest, or sometimes in the middle of it, the person isn’t reachable or the person is gone to be with the Lord, and many other circumstances that ensured that you were no longer in communication with the person Maybe a parent, a mentor, a friend, or someone you looked up to. This was the situation of the Israelites at this point.
But something stood out about them. It seems they had learnt the right way to approach situations from Joshua. As the verse shows us, “They asked the Lord”.
One would have thought they would be so confused as to what to do and what actions were needed to move forward in their conquest of the Promised Land. But we see something different from them. This act is consistent with what we had seen from Moses and Joshua. They always asked the Lord for directions.
This is an indication to us that the path of our lives is in no man’s hands but in the Lord’s. They could have just organised themselves and marched into battle, but they inquired from the Lord, specifically who was to go first.
So, even though we know that there is a battle to be fought, it still doesn’t mean that the way of victory is known. Proverbs 25:2 says; “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” The joy of God is that, even when we think we know the right thing to do, we still submit it before Him and inquire of Him, because His ways are not our ways, and He is the one who is above all and knows all. Therefore, we are encouraged today to always present your case before God to inquire of Him. Whether you know what ought to be done, or you are confused or you are depressed or you are lost and can’t find your way. In all things, commit your ways to the Lord, and He will guide your path
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you because you care about me, and you know all things that pertain to me, even when I am confused about them. For you are willing to show me a way out. I come before you today, and I present my life before you, so that you give me clarity in every area I am confused. That you open my eyes in every area I cannot see. That you give me instructions in every area I am clueless. I choose to depend on your direction rather than my intellect. I choose to trust you above my ability to solve problems.
