Seeing Things Clearly?

We have enjoyed the cool dry season (temperatures as low as 20 degrees by early morning). But in this city of 8 million or more, dry means the pollution is not rain washed out of the air regularly. When we look out over the city each morning, we can see only a km or two. But when the wind blows the air is clear and we can see so much further. (In fact sometimes not only is our vision hampered, we can smell the pollution and Jan feels sometimes she can taste it.) Even with some pretty bad pollution, we can see, but not as well or nearly as far as we would like.
There were some pretty bright boys in the ancient city of Gibeon. They had heard the news that Israel was on the prowl; had conquered and destroyed cities like Jericho and AI. So some of the men from Gibeon dressed in old worn out clothes and sandals, gathered old, musty bread and old wineskins (water bottles). They walked over to where the Israelites were camped and appeared to have come on a long journey from a distant city.
God had told Israel to make no peace treaties with people who lived in the Promised Land. But the Gibeonites limped up to the Israelites andpretended to be from a far away city. They asked for a peace treaty. The men of Israel looked at them and asked questions. Joshua, Israel's gifted leader questioned them. Then the Israelites "sampled their provisions." They could "see" the evidence that these folks had really travelled a long distance. Therefore their far away city was of no interest to Israel. So they agreed to a peace treaty.
Harmless decision except as the author adds in a brief comment "but (they) did not inquire of the Lord." (Joshua 9:15) They could see what appeared to be good evidence for their decision to make a peace treaty. But they could not see enough. They needed to God's perspective. Failing to bother with that, they made a bad decision.
I can see some distance from our 19th storey apartment every morning. But when the wind blows, I can see so much more clearly. On my own, I can make some good decisions. But to make the best decisions, I need to do more than examine the evidence and ask intelligent questions. I need to ask and then listen for God's direction. "Dear God may we spend time asking for wisdom and direction; and then please grant us Divine guidance."
Footnote to those living in Edmonton and Calgary: although your air is way too cold these winter days, and you might long for the warmth of Saigon, enjoy your clean, clear air.