Read Joshua 9:1
Highlights:
Israel's treaty with Gibeon. Just as all of us tend to be rather gullible when we don't seek the Lord's guidance, the Israelites are deceived by a heathen nation (Josh. 9:3-5). Years later their past comes back to haunt them (II Sam. 21:1-9). Joshua battles five kings and their armies. He prays for a miracle and receives it (Josh. 10:12-13).
The Gibeonites knew they could not stand against the power of God; therefore, they resorted to deceiving Joshua. He was unaware that they were Canaanites whom God said were to be destroyed because of their wickedness.The men of Israel. . . . asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with (the Gibeonites) (Josh. 9:7,14-15).
Many years later this resulted in a devastating famine in Israel during David's reign. Even Joshua, a great man of faith who could say: Sun, stand thou still (10:12), experienced how impossible it is to discern the will of God by human judgment and intelligence. Ask counsel . . . of God (Judg. 18:5).
How easy it is to make a decision based on what seems best and fail to pray for the will of God who said: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally (James 1:5)! But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Cor. 2:14). The natural mind is no match for the supernatural power of Satan. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12). As the people of God, we need not be overcome or conquered by any force of the enemy because knowing the Word of God, we can pray according to His will.
It is a sin to knowingly disobey God or ignore His Word. As we read the Bible, let us pray for His direction, so that we do what is right in His eyes. That is why it is so important to read and reread all the Bible since all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . That the man of God may be . . . throughly furnished (fully prepared) unto all good works (II Tim. 3:16-17). No other book is inspired of God.
Only eternity will reveal how much we followed the leading of God through His Word and prayer.
Our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. . . . for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness (I Cor. 2:5; 3:19).
Thought for Today:
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous (I Pet. 3:8).
Christ Revealed:
As the One through whom we have victory (Josh. 10:25). Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:57).
Word Studies:
9:1 great sea mediterranean Sea; 9:4 wine bottles wineskins; rent torn; 9:5 clouted matched; 9:6 league treaty; 9:15 sware satified it with an oath in the Name of God; 9:21 hewers of wood woodcutters; 9:22 beguiled received; 10:4 smite conquer; 10:6 Slack not thy hand from come with haste; 10:10 discomfited defeated in battle; 10:13 book of Jasher book of heroes (literally, "upright ones); hasted not delayed; 10:20 fenced fortified, walled; 10:21 moved his tongue uttered a word; 10:24 your feet upon the necks a symbol of mastery; 10:40 vale valley.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Ron Kind (WI) • Staff: Ben Wallace • Country: Angola (11 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Bantu dialects • Christianity is gradually being driven underground by communism • 60% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 5% belief in ancestor spirits, witches, and medicine men • Prayer Suggestion: Pray through the Name of Jesus Christ for it is by Him that we have access to God in prayer (Eph. 2:18).
Optional Reading: John 7:1
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 1:1