S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Joshua 9:26

So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.

O-bservation:

This is the story of Israel’s neighbors, the Gibeonites. They lived near Israel, but the people of Israel did not know it. Israel was still finding its way to Jerusalem and the territory of Judea that they would call home. The fear of God was so on the neighboring countries, and even those farther away, that all the nations trembled when they’d heard what Israel had done in Jericho and AI. The Gibeonites lied to Joshua and told him they were from a far-off land. So Joshua made a vow that he would not harm them. Later the people found out they had been lied to by the Gibeonites, who lived right next to them. The Israelites wanted to kill them, but Joshua protected them and made them woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites.

 

A-pplication:

If you’re wondering “What The Fear Of God Can Do” this AM, here’s a great example. The Gibeonites had become so terrified after seeing the Israelites easily destroy the people of Jericho and AI that they devised a plan to appear as if they were from a far-off land. They put on old sandals and worn clothes and carrying molded bread and parched wineskins. They told Joshua that the news of the Israeli battle exploits had reached them and that they had come to ask for a promise that they would never be killed. Without vetting them, Joshua made a vow that he wouldn’t harm them. Later, when the people of Israel learned that the Gibeonites were their next-door neighbors, they were angered. But Joshua gave them a pass. He said, “You will be cursed for deceiving me and made to be our woodcutters and water carriers for the rest of your lives.” And that’s what happened. The Gibeonites lied because of their fear of Israel’s God. That’s “What The Fear Of God Can Do” for a whole nation.

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I believe this AM that I truly fear you, but it’s not because I’m afraid. It’s because I have more respect for you than I do for any earthly man or woman. I will do ANYTHING for you. I love and fear you. Amen

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