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Sep 02, 2022 18:30pm

Lord Over the Big and the Small

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Tricked. Duped. Deceived. Fooled.

Have you been on the receiving end? Everything seemed right, but in the end, you discover the truth. Whether it was someone lying on their application to get a job or someone pretending to be someone they aren’t to win your affection, we are misled and left dealing with the consequences. Because rest assured, had we asked the right person, they could have guided us in the best direction.

This is where Joshua and the Israelites find themselves in chapter 9. They’ve experienced a great defeat over Ai, and now, they hear of kings all around them coming together to fight against them. In the midst of preparing for battle, these two men show up. They look like they have been on a long journey; their dirty clothes are tattered and their food is moldy. Joshua questions them and asks who they are and where they came from. Evasively, they simply say “a faraway country”. They say they have come to be a servant under them because they have heard of the Lord that fights for Israel.

“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.” (Joshua 9:14-15)

They check their food to corroborate their story and it seems okay on the surface. But notice what it says in verse 14: asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

They’ve come all this way. The LORD has done amazing things to prove His awesomeness and protection of them. Joshua has trusted in Him for the big things. But in this seemingly small thing, Joshua doesn’t go to the Lord for guidance.

If only they had asked the right person.

Now they must deal with the consequences.

“And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.” (Joshua 9:17-19)

God is Lord over the big and small. If we trust in Him to do great things in our life, why do we think He isn’t concerned about even simple matters? Trust in Him and go to the Lord with all your requests, no matter the size.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)