Highlights In Today's Reading:
All of us tend to be rather gullible when we don't seek the Lord's guidance. And the Israelites are completely fooled by a heathen nation. Years later their past comes back to haunt them (II Samuel 21). Joshua battles five kings and their armies. He prays for a miracle and receives it (Joshua 10:12-13).
This is only the second time that Joshua made a decision without directions from God. Joshua was misled by a deception that resulted in a covenant with the Gibeonites. He was unaware that they were Canaanites who were to be destroyed because of their wickedness. The Gibeonites knew they could not stand against the power of God; therefore, they resorted to deceiving Joshua.
The men . . . asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them (9:14-15).
This ultimately resulted in a devastating famine in Israel during David's reign many years later. Joshua experienced how impossible it is to discern God's will by human judgment. Even this great man of faith, who could say: Sun, stand thou still (10:12), dared not make a decision based upon mere human intelligence. Ask counsel . . . of God (Judges 18:5).
How easy it is to make a decision based on what looks 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). 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 (Ephesians 6:12). God's people are invincible against every force of the enemy when we continue to read through the Bible. Knowing the Word of God, we can pray according to His will.
It is a sin to disobey God. One type of disobedience is avoiding to use our talents and abilities to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; the other is presumption — doing what seems good to us but without His direction. 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 Timothy 3:16-17). No other book is inspired of God.
Only eternity will reveal how much of our activity was the leading of God through His Word.
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 Corinthians 2:5; 3:19).
Thought for Today:
Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (I John 4:1-2).
Christ Revealed:
As the One through whom we have victory (Joshua 10:25). Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57).
Word Studies:
9:4 bottles =b> containers made of animal skins; 9:5 clouted =b> patched sandals; 9:6 league =b> peace treaty; 10:10 discomfited them =b> caused them to panic, thus creating confusion (compare Psalm 18:14); 10:40 springs =b> slopes, foothills.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Benjamin Wallace • Government Officials: Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY) and Rep. Ron Kind (WI) • Country: Greenland (60,000) northeast of Canada • Major languages: Eskimo dialects and Danish • Religious freedom • 98% Protestant; .1% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Trust that God will provide your needs when you put His will first in your life (Matthew 6:31-33).
Optional Reading: John 7
Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:16
