Craig T. Owens

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As the Israelites moved into the Promised Land, the Book of Joshua records how God helped them achieve victory after victory. 

• God gave instructions for crossing the Jordan River—the Israelites crossed over on dry ground (3:7-8, 17) 
• God gave instructions for conquering Jericho—the walls of the city collapsed and Israel was victorious (6:2-5, 20) 
• God gave Joshua the battle plan for attacking Ai—the Israelite army was victorious (8:1-2, 18-22) 
• God directed the Israelites to come to the aid of the Gibeonites—they defeated five Canaanite kings (10:7-10) 
• Joshua asked God to make the sun stand still so the Israelites could complete their victory—the sun stood still (10:12-14) 
• God blessed Joshua’s attack against the southern kings—the Israelites were successful in battle (10:29-30, 42) 
• God directed Joshua to fight the Canaanite kings of the north—again they were victorious (11:1-15)

(Check out all of the above Scriptures by clicking here.) 

But we also read that twice Joshua acted without consulting God or receiving directions from Him, and the results were not good at all!

(1) The initial attack on the city of Ai. 

If Joshua had sought God first, I believe God would have revealed Achan’s treachery before 36 men were killed in battle (7:1-5). 

(2) Making a treaty with the Gibeonites. 

These clever people deceived the Israelites into making a treaty of peace with them. ”And [the Gibeonites] went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, ‘We have come from a far country; now then, make a covenant with us.’ … So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of 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 an oath to them” (9:6, 14-15). 

Presumption is a tricky thing. Just because something was successful in the past—even something directed by God Himself—that doesn’t mean we can simply repeat it again without consulting God again. 

Paul wrote, “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). I looked up the word “everything” in the Greek language, and it means: Each and every thing! 

God doesn’t want us to seek Him for just the big things—but for everything. 

It’s definitely not true that God helps those who help themselves. Actually, God helps those who admit that they cannot help themselves! 

Beware of prayerlessness. Never simply assume you know what to do next, but pray about everything. God loves to give wise counsel to those who ask Him for it. 

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