Where to Turn?

 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Prov. 3:5

Ai’s defeat was as complete as Jericho’s. Joshua built and altar unto the LORD. He read “all the words of the law…”

“There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” Josh. 8:35.

Have you ever experienced a spiritual high?  Israel surely knew that feeling now. The Lord proved Himself faithful and the land He promised was there for the taking. The inhabitants of the land feared them and their God. The whole account is found in Joshua 9.

“And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, they did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors…We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us…because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt…”

I wonder, did they not also hear about Rahab? Did they not know the Israelites’ God desired mercy?  It seems they only believed death was imminent and they preferred slavery to death.

“And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?” When I read this I want to cry out, “Joshua, are you not hearing…

“…a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk ye it it… It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Isa. 30:21a;Ps. 118:8,9).

“And the men took of their victuals(provisions) 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.” The words of Moses the Israelites witnessed earlier commanded, “And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them…” Deut. 7:2. They knew the word but…

“…asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD…And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you…Matt. 24:4; Let no man deceive you with vain words…Eph. 5:6a. Joshua and the princes were deceived. It happened to them and it can happen to us, but doesn’t have to.

“Trust the LORD with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding…Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil… Be not wise in your own conceits… When thou saidest, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”(Prov. 3:5,7;Rom. 12:16b;Ps. 27:8).

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…Prov. 3:6; Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you…he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 16:13-14; 14:26b).

May David’s prayer be our own: “Teach me thy way, O, Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies…wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Ps. 27:11,14.

When have you recognized the leading of the Lord in your life? Where did it come from?