FRIDAY October 26, 2018
Trust in God
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel.
1 Samuel 4:1-2
God was dealing with the people of Israel. They had not placed their trust in Him, but in a relic––the Ark of God. So the Lord was going to take away the object of their trust.
In the same way, God has to deal with our lives. We have our trust in people or things, but God wants us to place our eyes on Him––to trust Him in everything He does in our lives. In everything we do for the Lord, we need to continually seek Him. We need to pray about everything we do for the Lord, otherwise it can become a snare instead of a blessing.
God gave the children of Israel a blessing––the Promised Land. When Israel went out to battle against their enemies, they proceeded without seeking the Lord. They took no counsel from Him. It was the same with Joshua. Israel was tricked into making a treaty with the Gibeonites who were afraid of them: But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors (Joshua 9:3-4).
These men from Gibeon dressed in very old clothing and took with them spoiled supplies as if they had been on a very long journey. The Gibeonites asked Israel to make a covenant with them. Joshua and the men of Israel trusted in their own wisdom: Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live… (Joshua 9:14-15). Later, Joshua discovered their deception, and due to his promise, they were not killed (Joshua 9:16-27).
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~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!