Read Joshua 9 – 11
And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. Joshua 9:22-23 KJV
Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived by the Gibeonites. It was upsetting, just as it is for us when we fall prey to deception. However, the disguises of the Gibeonites were not that good. Joshua, and the others with him, was deceived for one reason: they based their decision on appearance without consulting the Lord. How often that also gets us into trouble. We get entangled with compromise and make binding commitments because we go on how we feel, or what we see, rather than the clear direction of God. Joshua was upset with the Gibeonites but he really had no one to be upset with but himself. The curse on the Gibeonites looks more like a blessing to me: they became servants for the house of God. It is far better to be a servant of the living God than to be a prince among idols. This was a mark of God’s grace. He often takes our blunders and blesses people through them.
Lord, I know you can bless people even through my blunders but how much better it is when they are blessed through my obedience. Help me to ever look to you for direction rather than simply making decisions based on how others make me feel.
A question to ponder through the day: What can a child of God do to be less vulnerable to either deception or compromise?
Evening
Asking Big Things of God
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Joshua 10:12 KJV
In the thick of battle, Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still. Certainly, such a response to prayer is not a daily event, but I wonder, how often do we ask big things of God? Notice the following about his prayer: (1) It was public, he prayed in sight and hearing of all Israel. (2) It was simple; just a few words had a tremendous impact. Many words are not necessary to make a difference! (3) It was bold! Joshua wasn’t content to ask for added strength; he asked for the sun and moon! (4) It was answered! God did not hesitate, question, or scold; He simply answered! (5) It was recorded. Joshua’s prayer had such an impact, it was written down as a matter of public record. It is good to have others talk about our prayer life. God is bigger than our biggest battle; let’s ask big things of Him!
Lord, I don’t think I have ever been as bold as Joshua in my praying, but of course big requests are no harder for you than little ones. In serving you, help me pray with confidence, asking for the things big or small I need to accomplish your will.
A question to ponder as you sleep: If big prayers are no harder for God than little ones, why are we hesitant to ask big things of God?
