They Failed to Pray

Bible Reading:  Joshua 9:1-15

Key Verse: Verse 14 - “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.”

Key Words:  and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD

He who does not learn from his past is bound to repeat it.  Israel failed to seek God when they attacked Ai.  Now here in chapter 9, they again fail to seek God when they make peace and a league with the Gibeonites.

Because they did not pray and seek God, they lacked discernment and were easily misled (verses 12 – 15).

We would all do well to heed the prayer checklist of missionary, Ruth Paxton.

1. Has my prayer life been powerless because of besetting sin? _____
2. Has it been hindered by irregularity? _____
3. Have I had such power with God that I have real power with people? _____
4. Have I prayed only for self and my needs? _____
5. Has my prayer life been hindered because of a lack of hearing God’s Word? _____
6. Has my prayer life been joyless, more of a duty than a privilege? _____
7. Has my prayer life been sacrificial?  Has it cost me nothing in time and energy? _____

We will always fail unless we learn that we should:  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6.

                                                                                                    Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞Always remember, a lot of kneeling keeps you in good standing.