Read Joshua 9:3-16
There is power in urgency. It can motivate us to get in there and get what needs to be done in a timely manner. It keeps us from procrastinating or becoming apathetic. On the other hand, the sense of urgency can be extremely manipulative. These pressing tasks demand attention and instant action. However, urgent does not necessarily mean crucial. What is most important usually takes time, forethought and effort. The urgent has a way of crowding out the important.
Urgency is one of Satan’s favorite weapons to use against us. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us he is skulking around looking for an opportunity to strike. When we are distracted and busy, he pounces with “Don’t think, just do – Now!” The story in today’s Scripture reading is an example of this very thing.
Joshua was a busy man preparing to do what God had told him to do. Unfortunately, he got too busy! And the enemy took advantage of it. They staggered into the encampment and pulled out moldy bread that crumbled at the touch and wineskins that were patched, torn and nearly empty. They had come on urgent business. They had come to secure peace. Though they claimed to come from far away, actually, they were neighbors; one of the nations God said had to be removed from the Promised Land – the Hivites from Gibeon. (See Deut. 20:17,18 as to why.) But, their condition was “obvious” and their story was convincing. Their urgency that peace was more important than their personal welfare was their trump card. And Joshua made a covenant of peace with them.
From the beginning the Holy Spirit was warning them that something wasn’t right. However, in the urgency they “sampled their provisions, but did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua was busy, their pleading urgent. The truth is he was too busy not to pray! He needed God’s perspective and direction.
Human wisdom has a hard time seeing past the obvious, the convincing and the urgent. Urgency has a tendency to appeal to our pride. We measure our worth and the quality of a day by what is accomplished. We fear offending someone or looking inadequate. “I can do that” or “I better do that” guide our actions rather than “God what do You want me to do?”
God never intends us to do everything that comes our way. Only by taking time out to pray can we decipher between urgent and important. Prayer is a declaration of dependence on God and an act of faith that God is willing and able to meet our needs. In Matthew 11:28,29, Jesus invites us to share the burden with Him and learn how to respond to urgency with Christlikeness. We will know which way to go because taking on His yoke means He chooses the direction and the pace.
Making It Personal
What does “urgent” look like to you?
What are some of the important things that get pushed aside when constantly reacting to urgent demands?
Jesus was constantly surrounded by urgent demands. He was also on a very tight timetable. How did Jesus know who, what, when, and where according to Mark 1:35?
Every urgent demand is important to someone for some reason. How does this statement underscore the importance of prayer as you prepare for today?
Make an effort to be aware of urgency versus important today. Journal how this awareness led you to respond prayerfully rather than merely react to the demand.
