The Search for Answers; Joshua 11

5 Things I learned from Joshua 11

1. Joshua had an unblinking faith in Gods direction.
2. Every time Joshua consulted God before he acted his "family" was victorious.
3. God was glorified across whole nations as a result of Joshua's faithful obedience.
4. Joshua was known as a leader that spoke God's word (not just as a good leader)
5. Joshua didn't allow fear, feelings or people to cloud his judgement. He trusted in God's omniscient wisdom for his choices.

Devotion from Joshua 11

We spend a lot of time searching for answers. We lose sleep, quiz friends, read books, blogs, and how to articles in a quest to answer: How do I raise kids, make my marriage work, succeed at my job, change bad habits, handle difficult people or reduce anxiety. We need direction. Sometimes the

search leaves us more lost than we were before we began. It seems that there are a million sure fire solutions to every problem, each answer conflicting with the one before it. When the stakes are high, fear of making the wrong choice can leave us paralyzed. The solutions march around our heads all screaming "pick me".
Joshua didn't have this problem.
His tasks was daunting.
The stakes, the life or death of millions.
He had one advisor, and the advice he received often went directly against all common sense or human strategy.
Six times in chapter eleven we read "Joshua did as the Lord directed".
Joshua knew what God commanded. He sought God and obeyed without question. The result lead an entire nation to success. He didn't have a team of strategist, books on DIY battle campaigns, or even  a how to guide.
I don't say this to suggest that the next time you need to paint your bathroom you should search scripture. Although my husband would say to read  1 Corinthians 14:40 "let all things be done decently and in order", before I  jump in and start painting over the switch plates.
It does make me wonder if we seek God before we seek the advice of the world around us.
Do we find the Bible too simplistic or too difficult in it's advice? or do we not look hard enough for the answers? Do we seek God's face before we seek the face of friend?

Are we doing what we know?

Verses for thought:

James 3

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

DIG DEEPER:

Read Joshua 11.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+11&version=NIV