To My Sweet Daughters in Him:
The Gibeonites were afraid. Their neighbors on the same side of the Jordan had heard of the children of Israel's victories and decided to gather together to fight Joshua with one accord. The Gibeonites, however, decided to use guile rather than brawn. Sadly, even after the children of Israel's defeat at Ai (because they did not ask "His" counsel before going into battle) Joshua once again stepped out ahead of the Lord. He looked at the outward rather than seek His God, and he made a treaty with the Gibeonites.
I have done as Joshua did here more times than I want to remember. Unbelief has so much trouble waiting. The men of Israel had had doubts about the truthfulness of the Gibeonites. Read Joshua 9:7:
Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you dwell among us; so can we make a covenant with you?"
Truly God does speak to our hearts and gives us warnings. Unfortunately, like Joshua, we do not always heed the warning. We ignore it, we make rationalizations for it or we out and out disregard it. As believers, we are to wait on our God, and walk by faith, not by sight. We are to bring it all to Him in prayer and then surrender to God's desires in any situation we face. We bring much needless pain, trial and trouble to our lives when we don't listen to our Lord.
Girls, our God is a true and faithful friend. His plan for us is best and comes from His heart of love. Seek His face in prayer. Seek His word and allow it to speak to your heart. Remember that in our flesh we look at the evidence and think we know...we think we have got it covered...that we do not need to ask His counsel. Walk in the Spirit...seek His mind, His wisdom and His will. Seek His grace and His mercy to obtain help. Don't ignore His warnings....listen for His voice and do what He says.
Love
Mom
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.--Proverbs 3:5-6
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