February 22 - Joshua 9-11
The account of the deception of the Gibeonites is a lesson in how easy it is to be fooled by people or by Satan if we are not spiritually discerning and willing to thoroughly check things out before we make a decision. In this case a whole group of pagans was allowed to live in the Promised Land because of this treaty. That was never in God's plan. It came about because of this lapse of judgment and the resultant treaty with them. It is important for all of us to make all of our decisions after prayer and investigation of the facts.
If you notice, so far in Joshua when God tells the Israelites to fight an enemy He says, "I have delivered them into your hand." There is a past tense verb to show that it is as good as done because God is fighting for them. Also, I believe it shows the grace of God to get them established in the Land. Then, later He begins to speak in the future tense to say He will deliver the enemy into their hands. I believe the farther we go with the Lord the more He looks for our faith in order to give us the victory. At first, He guards us, but then He expects us to become stronger and to trust His direction more and more.
Each of the accounts of the victories won by the Israelites is a testimony to the power of God. God even made the sun stop, so they could have more time to defeat a great enemy. He enabled them to defeat giants, and no one could stand against them. What a testimony to the power of God in the life of a believer who is totally obedient to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 12-14.
If you notice, so far in Joshua when God tells the Israelites to fight an enemy He says, "I have delivered them into your hand." There is a past tense verb to show that it is as good as done because God is fighting for them. Also, I believe it shows the grace of God to get them established in the Land. Then, later He begins to speak in the future tense to say He will deliver the enemy into their hands. I believe the farther we go with the Lord the more He looks for our faith in order to give us the victory. At first, He guards us, but then He expects us to become stronger and to trust His direction more and more.
Each of the accounts of the victories won by the Israelites is a testimony to the power of God. God even made the sun stop, so they could have more time to defeat a great enemy. He enabled them to defeat giants, and no one could stand against them. What a testimony to the power of God in the life of a believer who is totally obedient to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 12-14.