After the Fact

Week 12 Day 3

Joshua 9-11; 1 Corinthians 6

Joshua 9:24-26
They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. ²⁵ We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”  ²⁶ So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 

Fear sometimes causes people to deceive or even lie to others.  Yet, with the Gibeonites, they actually desired to just not be killed - for their knew that God has already given the Israelites the land where the Gibeonites inhabited - they ought to be killed.  Although on the other hand, we know that deception is a sin.  However, we see that because Joshua saw their intentions (in my opinion), Joshua had mercy on them and did not kill them but made them serve the Israelites as woodcutters and water carriers for the community and the altar of the Lord.

Lessons:

• Mercy is given to those who sin (perhaps, due to the lack of courage to do what's right at the moment)
• As a leader, be keen to find out if the intentions are true.  
• As a "Gibeonite, prove your "repentance"; put words into actions and accept what is given after the fact.

// BELLE:

I'm the Gibeonite.  I've done things in the past that caused me to sin due to the lack of courage to do what is right.  But I know that God knows my heart and how I have changed for His glory and honor.  Now, I ought to be prepared what there is awaiting me "after the fact".  God knows everything and He is still in control of all things - with the people involved, including myself.  I will trust in Him and continually be devoted to Him.  With Christ, I can now do ALL things!

// Lord, You know my heart and I know that You know all things.  I pray that You will strengthen me even more to do what is right; to have the courage to keep going even if things may seem different at the time.  I know that You are always with me.  It Your mercy that causes me to live daily and still serve You.  In Your freedom I will live and offer devotion!  In Jesus' name, amen.