The Hivites living in Gibeon tricked the Israelites into making a treaty of peace, but the other nations do not even attempt to do so. God in His sovereignty allows their hearts to remain hardened against Israel. This does not mean that they have no will of their own; the people from these cities are not without sin, and they face the consequences of their actions. - P28
We may be tempted to think God unjust for hardening their hearts, but the reality is that all people are prone to sin and God is the only judge who knows all and understands what is truly just. - P28
As we trust in Him, we will also grow to understand that He sometimes administers His judgment in ways we do not expect. - P28
Having defeated even the Anakites—the giants in the land-Joshua takesthe entire area that God had originally assigned to Moses. The Israeliteshave persisted through a long period of waiting, traveling, and fighting, andthe tribes finally receive their inheritance. They can settle into the promisedland that now has rest from war. - P28
When we seek the fulfillment of God‘spromises, we sometimes go through a long period of waiting, working,
and struggle. During this time, we can either become impatient and lazyor faithful and hardworking. - P28
May we not give up during long periods ofdifficulty but see these times as opportunities to demonstrate our trust inGod and grow in our faith through our waiting. - P28
Instead, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to simplyworship and pray in a relational way to focus on the relationship betweenGod and myself. I needed to remember that God was my good and lovingFather and that Christ was the foundational rock beneath my feet. Evenif everything else was being shaken around me, I would be able to remainsecure and confident if I remembered my relationship to Him.
A few days later, I do not yet have tangible answers or solutions to what liesahead, but I feel radically different. I have a sense of assurance that I do notneed to worry so much. At the proper time, the answers will become clear. Irecognize that, during this season, I am being refined in my confidence andsecurity in God regardless of what is happening around me. - P29
Dear Lord, I confess that it is sometimes difficult to endure when I feel that a situation is unjust or when I go through long periods of waiting and struggle. In these times, help me to draw closer to You so that I may grow in my faith and character. In Your name I pray, amen. - P29
|