"THEY FUMBLED ANOTHER TIME"

DRAMA MINISTERS "YEAR OF GREAT THINGS" 

DRAMA MINISTERS' 40 DAYS PRAYERS AND FASTING - DAY 8
(January 1 - February 9, 2015)

"THEY FUMBLED ANOTHER TIME"

Joshua 9:3-6, 14-18 NKJV
[3] But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
[4] they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended,
[5] old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.
[6] And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us."

[14] Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.
[15] So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

[16] And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.
[17] Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim.
[18] But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

Ai was the second city to be attacked by Israel in Canaan Land. The third city was a much bigger city, Gibeon and other smaller cities around it:Chephirah, Beeroth and Kirjath Jearim. Inside these cities were definitely, great spoils for the army of Israel. They would have been so blessed with the booties of the war against these cities. Once they have made their first fruits unto God and the Lord had accepted their offerings and sacrifices, He had released them to be taking the cities and gathering their booties and spoils of war for themselves.

The leaders of Gibeon came with the leaders of three other cities to deceive Joshua into signing a covenant with them before the Lord never to attack and destroy their cities. They made Joshua and the leaders of Israel to belive that they came from a very distant region which was not part of the land Israel was to conquer. The Bible memtioned the grievous mistake that Joshua and the leaders of Israel made: The leaders of Israel collected their gifts and made covenant with them, without asking counsels from the Lord. THEY WERE BLATANTLY DECEIVED. And they lost four cities to avoidable deceptions and unguided decisions, EVEN AFTER CROSSING THE RIVER TO CANAAN LAND AND GIVING UNTO GOD THEIR FIRST FRUITS.

This is the second major mistake Joshua and the Israelites would make after getting to their land of possessions: THEY FAILED TO CONSULT THE LORD BEFORE MAKING THEIR DECISIONS. First, this mistake cost them the lives of thirty six lives of innocent soldiers who died in the war against Ai, next, it was a bigger city than Ai with three other cities that were traded away on the altar of unguided decisions.

Having crossed over to this year, with the great promises of God strapped to my bossom, and with great expectations of the blessings and miracles of God as covenanted with me by God, I never want to lose any of the blessings meant for me this year; I never want to cause any calamity to myself or my immediate family or my ministry members as a result of presumptious actions, as a result of taking steps I have not received instructions from God to take. I don't want to go where the Lord would not send me, and I don't want to do what the Lord would not ask me do.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
[6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

This should be your MOTTO always. If you want directions for your paths in this year of GREAT THINGS AND HARVESTS, then, try as much as possible to be consulting Him on every of your decisions and plans.

Tell Him about every journey.
Tell Him about every business idea.
Tell Him about new job opportunity, if you should take the job or not.
Tell Him about every ministerial invitation, if you should go or not.
Which school should your children go? Don't depend on your understanding.
Should you marry that brother?
Is that sister the will of God for your life?

Ask Him of everything and consult Him about everything...

Proverbs 3:7-8 NKJV
[7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
[8] It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

THIS WILL GIVE YOU HEALTH TO YOUR LIFE AND STRENGTH TO YOUR BONES.
Be blessed today.