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Today is Monday March 16, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Joshua. Please read chapters 9 & 10 in your Bible, you can also Click Here to read the chapters online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%209-10&version=9

Today's Message: Deception
Christians are often deceived by the wicked, falling into sin because of human reasoning instead of seeking God for direction. .

After Joshua's victories over Jericho and Ai, five Canaanite kings united to fight the Israelites. "And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord." (Joshua 9:1-2). Whenever one wins victory over a battle you be sure that there will be lots of opposition shortly after.

Fearing the worse, the Gibeonites, who were located between Canaan and the encampment of Israel, decided that their chances of survival would be greater by making an alliance with the Israelites. "And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us." (9:3-6). The moldy bread and worn clothing seemed to be visible proof that these strangers were telling the truth, but Joshua was deceived. These men were enemies and to make peace with the enemies of God was a violation of the Law.

Once again, Joshua failed to seek God for guidance in dealing with the Gibeonites. If Joshua had prayed for the Lord's guidance, the league never would have been made, saving them from lots of pain in the future. Too often we foolishly make decisions based on what we see or think. This league with the Gibeonites should be lesson to us about enemy's skill in deception. We should also learn how deceptive our human reasoning can be. It's so easy to fall in the trap of the wicked simply by thinking with our own mind and especially heart. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Because the league had been sworn in God's Name, the Israelites did not break their oath to Gibeon, even though the Gibeonites had deceived them. However, over 400 years later, King Saul broke this covenant and it resulted in a 3 year famine in Israel.
Through this, the Lord teaches us that the wrong done by another does not give us the right to do a similar wrong in return. God wants us to learn from the Gibeonites' covenant how important it is to have personal integrity and keep our commitments. One sin never justifies another.

One characteristic of the children of God that distinguishes us from all other people is that we are to overcome evil for good. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21).

Today's Psalm: 12:1-3
"Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:"

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, you know the longings of my heart. When I seek thrills and quick fixes to satisfy these needs I am eventually disappointed. Your supply of Living Water never runs dry and satisfies the inner desires of my heart because You are the only One who can meet my spiritual needs. Lord, as I come today dry and thirsty I look to You, for You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a wonderful night/day and enjoy your week.
God Bless,
Christina

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