How to make a wise decision

Scripture

Joshua 9:14

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. 

Observation

Human wisdom alone can lead you to bad decisions.  The Israelites used human wisdom, the examined their food, but they failed to consult God.  The end result was they made a peace treaty with a nation God forbade, they lost credibility with their own people,  (Joshua 9:15, 18) and it eventually led to an unnecessary war (Joshua10:7).

Application

1. Use my brain.

God did give me a brain to think with and life experiences to develop wisdom.  When I make decisions, I should think, get wise counsel, and seek wisdom and understanding.

2. Consult with God

In addition to my own personal wisdom and the collective wisdom of others, I should pray, ask God to reveal his will, seek His wisdom, submit myself to His authority.  God is all-knowing, His direction is always right.

3. In the end choose God's ways.

His ways are higher than my ways, his thoughts are higher than my thoughts, his purposes are higher than my purposes.  In the Bible, God at times, asked people to do strange things. For example marching around the walls of Jericho seven times. That was not a good human military strategy, but it worked.  God's ways will always produce God's results.

4. It is for His glory.

When I do God's will, His way, He will receive all the glory.  That is the end we all desire, the glory of the Lord.

Prayer

Reveal your will to me and give me the faith and courage to obey it.  May your glory be my highest priority.  I consult with you, show me the way.