The life of the Disciple of Christ may look like many things to the world but one thing for sure it’s (blank)! Several cities of the land have made a pact so they can try to defeat the Israelites. They have heard of what is happening and believe themselves destruction is close. The Gibeonites decide to manipulative the situation. They pretend they have come from afar so that Israel covenants with them. Joshua doesn’t pray but makes a covenant with them only to find out these are people who live close. The mistake has been made but more importantly the covenant was made.
“Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” Joshua 9:22-24
The people had heard of their fate. Think about it, they knew so well the relationship God had with Israel they knew the agreement would stick. They knew what Israel stood for and who stood with them to the point they recognized the strength of the covenant. From a distance they recognized the goodness of God even if they hadn’t experienced it themselves. (Let’s remember the only reason these people hadn’t experienced the grace of God is because they rejected it prior to this moment.)
Do you recognize the covenant which has been made with you? If you have put your faith in Christ, His shed blood on the cross and His resurrection the covenant has been made based upon His work, not your own. Sometimes in the battle of life we can get jaded of the goodness of God and those who haven’t even experienced it recognize more than we do.
The Psalmist writes, “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalms 84:10
The life of the Disciple of Christ may look like many things to the world but one thing for sure it’s built in the goodness of the Father, His great love for us and the faithfulness of His covenant. I hope as you are reading this you recognize that. Take a moment to thank Jesus today and walk in the great love He has for you and His faithfulness to continue.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.