Deception and Discernment

"But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, 'We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us." Joshua 9:3-6

Have you ever been deceived or misled by someone who wasn't who they claimed to be? Or by circumstances that were misrepresented? One day, not long after the decisive victory at Ai, a group of men showed up at Joshua's tent asking for an audience. They looked weather-worn and near to starving. In their exhausted state they lay their case before Joshua and the elders.

"We've come from a long way..." It certainly looked like they had been traveling a long time. Their clothes were frayed, shoes patched, wineskins cracked and about to burst, their food moldy, stale, and dry. 

Are you screaming along with me, "Don't listen, Joshua. It's a lie. Didn't you learn anything from the first battle of Ai? Ask the LORD..."

As with the situation at Ai, a crucial piece of information was missing. With Ai, they presumed God would give them an easy victory, but there was sin in the camp. This time, sin came to the camp and they didn't recognize it. They assumed their visitors were telling the truth because of how they looked. 

"So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD." Joshua 9:14

Have you ever presumed you knew the LORD so well that you assumed what His direction would be...without praying about it? I've had two recent occasions where someone approached me with what seemed to be a godly request. The first one definitely had a biblical precedent. I knew the scripture that supported the action the person was asking me to take. No sooner had I made the commitment than the trap slammed shut. Like Joshua, I was obligated to an action I now knew wasn't of the LORD. My error? I thought it was a godly thing to do so I didn't pray about it and then I had consequences to face.

The second person sounded like a very concerned fellow believer. The first contact was very supportive. However, a subsequent conversation triggered "red flags' in my mind. It didn't match with God's revealed character and my spirit became unsettled. I prayed about it and the LORD gave me discernment to see a deceitful motive. He gave me great peace in walking away.

In Joshua's case, he failed to seek the counsel of God and was tricked into making a treaty with people who lived a night's fast march from Gilgal--the very people God had commanded the Israelites to destroy. God doesn't contradict Himself. He had given Moses the directions for dealing with those in the land...

"When the LORD your God hands these nations (Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzite4s, Hivites, and Jebusites) over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy." Deuteronomy 7:2

...and with those who lived far away.

"As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace. If they accept your terms and open the gates to you, then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor...But these instructions apply only to distant towns, not to the towns of the nations in the land you will enter. In those towns that the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing." Deuteronomy 20:10-11, 15-16

The people of Gibeon were Hivites. They duped Joshua into making a treaty with them and he was then obligated to keep the terms of the agreement. He was honor bound, as God's representative, to keep his promise even if it hurt.

The enemy of our souls is a master deceiver. Peter says the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking to devour prey (! Peter 5:8). He disguises himself as an angel of light, and the temptation he presents looks righteous. Paul exhorts us to never stop praying (aka consult God) and test everything that is said (1 Thess 5:17, 21).

May we heed these two lessons from Joshua to seek God for wisdom and guidance before we act. He is ever ready to give us the ability to discern what is right in His eyes.

by Marilyn Allison

What Price Victory?

"But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors." Joshua 6:2

The first chapter of Joshua records God telling this warrior He would be with him as he led the people of Israel to victory over the people occupying the land of promise.

"Moses my servant is dead. Therefore the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you...No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." Joshua 1:1-3, 5

Joshua and the children of Israel obeyed God's command and were rewarded with an incredible victory. They had done everything right. The land, everywhere they would set their feet, would become theirs. Why? It wasn't because they were good people.

"Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you...Recognize today that the LORD your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised. After the LORD your God has done this for you, don't say in your hearts, 'The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!' No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that He is pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath He swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 9:1, 3-5

They were to have victory because of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God was with them. He would put fear in the hearts of the people in the land. He would go before them and they would quickly conquer and drive out the people currently there. Jericho was certainly proof of God's promise. They were invincible. Victory would be theirs in every battle, every test. Then came Ai. . . .

"The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away." Joshua 7:5

Incredible victory to devastating defeat, a defeat that got their attention. They desperately sought God as to the reason for their shame. They recognized they failed to honor His name, but did they also indulge a little in the "blame game?" 

"Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us?" Joshua 7:7a

Sadly, I'm acquainted with that game. As a younger person, I usually questioned God when situations didn't turn out the way I hoped. "Why, God, did You let this happen." God's answers have always been instructive. Sometimes I've heard, "you need to wait" (Psalm 27:14). Other times He's reminded me His way is better than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9), and sometimes He's just said, "This is your plan, not mine." 

When I impatiently move from the locker room to the playing field and suffer defeat, God's answer is almost always, "There's sin in the camp." There's sin (self-interest) hidden somewhere in my heart, or my motives, or my request.

No one in Israel, aside from Achan's family, knew someone had been disobedient until God identified the sin (and the sinner). Achan's covetousness infected his whole family. Left unexposed and unjudged his sin would infect the whole nation. God warned He would not remain with them if the nation refused to deal with the sin and follow His commandments.

Our Heavenly Father loves us too much to let us think we can get away with sin and still have fellowship with Him, still walk in His blessing of victory. Over time, and many trials, He's changed me. My cry of "why?" has lost its questioning and accusatory tone. Instead, it has become a desperate surrender that recognizes the blame for defeat most often lies with me.

The price for victory is death. In Joshua, it was the death of Achan and his entire family. In my life, it is death to self-sovereignty.   The Apostle Paul writes:

"We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. When He died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of  God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus." Romans 6:6-11

Jesus accomplished salvation for you and me when He spilled his lifeblood on the cross as our perfect sacrifice. His death broke the power of sin over you...over me. His Resurrection freed us. The power of life that lifted Him from the grave, gives us the power to override our flawed natures and live for the glory of God.

Do any of you like Math? Try these and see if they aren't absolutes.
Conviction plus Repentance equals Restoration.
God over me equals Glory.

Offered by Marilyn Allison

Do It Again

"But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams' horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town." Joshua 6:2-5

When I read a story in the Bible I sometimes find it difficult to put myself in the shoes of the main characters. I see everything they are experiencing from the perspective of the end of the story. Sometimes that means I don't appreciate their struggle on the road to victory (or defeat). I have to "climb inside their heads", live each day as though I don't know what happens tomorrow, in order to have empathy--in order to learn the lesson set by their example.

You and I know Jericho will fall miraculously on the seventh go-around on the seventh day. It doesn't take faith on our part. We read it. We know what's going to happen.

But, do you think every one of the thousands of people kicking up dust as they circled that fortified city was marching in boisterous confidence? Maybe on the first day, but...had it waned by the sixth day...in the Middle Eastern sun?

This wasn't a walk around the block. The circumference of the city is estimated to have been half a mile. Not so difficult if you are in the front of the procession with no stragglers to slow you down. What if you're in the middle or among those bringing up the rear? The sun is hotter and the dust thicker. Maybe they wondered if the march would ever cease, if they'd ever stop walking in circles and go in and fight--go in and win--go and move on.

We aren't so very different from them. Because He loves us, God guarantees we will have lessons (we call them trials). We will be in learning situations where a victorious outcome depends on our trusting--and obeying--Him, no matter how long it takes. We may be called upon to walk with Him "six days" (a set time) while we see no action, no change to our circumstances.

But, Chosen Daughter of the LORD, take heart. The seventh dawn is on the horizon. In the meantime, we have this confidence, He is with us. He will not leave or forsake us. Each time we enter the classroom, He will teach us. He will do it again.

"Do It Again"

"Walking around these walls
I thought by now they'd fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle's won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

I know the night won't last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing your praise again
Jesus You're still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed

I've seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I'll see You do it again

I'll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet

And You never failed me yet
I never will forget
You never failed me yet
I never will forget."**

**Written by Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Christopher Brown and Matt Redman
Elevation Worship

Love or Obligation

"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Revelation 2:4"

"What? Wait! Not me, surely not me!?"

But as I think about His words I have to admit--I have. I've let a myriad of things move me farther and farther away. What started as love has become an obligation; what was done naturally is now something I debate about. And I can't remember when it became this way.

"Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first, or else...." Revelation 2:5a

Again, "WHAT?" Was this an ultimatum? 

As I prayed for clarity I saw the connection. What started in love had become a mindless habit, then a chore that could backslide into a lukewarm attitutde or my taking the credit for what I'm doing. Therein lies the "or else." I am very capable of pridefully walking away from God.

Did I become indignant or defensive? Maybe a little bit--for a moment. But, at that moment, gratitude welled up inside me for God's Word. It is the mirror I need to remind me Who I serve and why; a reminder of the love of My Shepherd who doesn't let this little lamb stray too far.

"He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God." Revelation 2:7

What a timely reminder the Bible had for me this morning. I shake myself awake from sleep, and, as I walk through my day, I remind myself that I can't outlove God--and to serve Him is a joy.

by Eve Montano

Rest. Quiet. Confidence.

"Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

I've been thinking about the nation Israel--camped outside of Jericho--waiting to face the first HUGE challenge in their quest to possess the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. (Joshua 5-6) What was it like to wander for forty years, fully aware the promise awaited them, but not have the green flag to go in and take it? What was it like to grumble about the provision of manna--miraculous in nature, to be sure, but not pleasing to the taste buds. Did they notice their clothing and shoes didn't wear out through those forty years of walking in the hot desert sun? Each day God's quiet miracles sustained them.

They were victorious in battle over more powerful, better-equipped armies. They grumbled over the desire for comfort. A pattern. Victory. Grumble. Victory. Complain.

Epiphany! I do the same thing. Do you? A big threat looms in my life and I go to the LORD with my need. He meets it in a way that lifts me to the mountaintop. Praise flows from my heart. Then I experience a small need, one I think I can handle. When the outcome disappoints me, what do I do? Grumble my dissatisfaction. I may not think I'm complaining to God, but who else hears what is in my heart and mind?

I fret and examine what went wrong. My thoughts give me no rest. Then God nudges me with reminders from His word. Return. Rest. Faithful is He who promises, who also will do it.

"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else?" Romans 8:31-32

God has done the most for us. He gave His Son as the perfect sacrifice so we could be His children. Since He has done for us what cost Him the most, can we not trust Him to meet the lesser needs? In returning to this place of surrender and reliance on Him we have rest. He stills our hearts and gives us peace. We have quiet confidence in Him, not ourselves. And we can wait...and obey...and receive faith's reward.

by Marilyn Allison