Living for God - even when Distractions Come

SCRIPTURE:
Joshua 9 and 10

OBSERVATION:
In today's reading we come across the story of deception and manipulation. It is the human condition being disclosed to us. What is easy to understand is how Joshua's blessing and that of the children of Israel attracted the "near by people" to make a statement that they were from "far away" and to see if Joshua and his leaders would make a peace treaty with them. So, with deception in mind they (Joshua 9: 3) plan a ruse and go as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn sacks and old wineskins, they even put worn sandals on their feet to give the appearance of a long distance journey. It is easy to default to a heart of manipulation and deception.
Our lives are best lived out is honesty before God and man.
Yet, we can live to please the crowd, deceive the crowd make ourselves look good. I once worked with a guy who always came in late - he has someone else punch his timecard as he drove into the employee lot. He was not even in the building but got punched in and when there was work to be done, he always looked busy but rarely got much accomplished. I even recall one day when we were updating our displays, that he simply got some dirt and rubbed it into his shirt and sprinkled some water on his hair and face to make it look as though perspiration was the result of intense labor. Sad but true - this type of deceptive heart runs in each of us and must be squelched.
So Joshua makes a peace treaty with the Gibeonites - so now the Israelites could not attack them. But they were relegated to cutting wood and carrying water for the community and for the altar of the Lord. They never became what they could have been because they chose to deceive and now they were servants of God but never were allowed the joys of serving Him with a pure desire. Now they were "forced" to serve Him.
As Joshua moves forward and goes into battle, he is reminded of God's original promise -God speaks to him again:
Joshua 10:8Do not be afraid - I will give them into your hand - not one of them will be able to withstand you.
So, with courage in their hearts they march all night long and surprise the enemy. With great perception and heart, Joshua calls for the caves to be open (10:22) and for the five kinds to be brought forth - Joshua declares to his army..... " Do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous."

APPLICATION:

Even in the midst of set-backs and dealing with the deception, manipulation and sin of others, we must stay focused on what God has and wants. There will always be distractions and those who purpose to derail us from God's plan. There will always be those who run easy - go slow - deceive and lie about who they are and what they do. They will not win in the end! We must not get focused upon them but rather - serve the Lord with all our heart and take courage. God has called us to serve Him and there will always be obstacles in the way - people who will deceive us - say one thing and do another - make commitments and not follow through - but we must move forward and stay the course and live for God even in the face of distractions. I sure love all of you and thank you for taking the time to read the things that I write. More than that, I hope and pray you are reading the bible each day and writing down the observations and applications that God gives to you and closing it with a time of prayer.

PRAYER:

Dear God, help me to stay focused when things move fast and demands hit me. Help me to stay the course and not allow others to distract me with their worn out sandals and loaded down donkeys - but help me to see the true warriors who stand strong, work hard and are committed to you so that I might be able to support them and stand with them. Allow me to receive courage from you and release it to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.