Enemy At The Gates
Posted by Dion Todd September 25th, 2024 1,034 Views 26 Comments
The men sampled their provisions, and didn't ask counsel from Yahweh's mouth. Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them. At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them. Joshua 9:14–16 WEB.
Strangers came into the Israelite camp and said they had traveled from a distant land to make a peace covenant with them. The travelers had intentionally dressed in ragged clothing. They carried old supplies like stale bread and cracked wineskins to deceive the Israelites. In reality, they were from a nearby village and had come to trick the Israelites into forming an alliance with them.
The Israelite leaders went through their supplies, saw the old bread and the cracked wineskins, and were convinced the strangers were from a distant land. They were so confident that they did not bother to pray and ask God about it. So the Israelites unknowingly made a deal with an enemy and agreed to let them stay in peace. The Israelites had been slowly taking the promised land one city at a time, and soon it was revealed that these men were from a nearby village. Shortly afterward, the Israelites were pulled into a battle with five kingdoms because of their alliance with the strangers.
The Israelite leaders had let their lack of wisdom lead them into a trap, and God let them do it without saying a word because they did not bother to ask Him. The examples provided for us in the bible tell us that the Lord will not always intrude on our lives. That He will let us live our lives just as we want, with or without Him being involved in it at all. Yet, His wisdom and guidance are there for us when we ask Him for it.
Include the Lord in your decisions every day. Invite Him to be a part of what you are doing, and He will. Always inquire of God before making a binding decision. The Lord would have gladly answered Joshua if he had only taken the time to ask Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your wisdom, which I know is far greater than mine. Please help me remember to stop and pray a moment before I agree to sign something. You can see what is going on behind the scenes and in people's hearts when I cannot. Lead me down the right path today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: If you are interested in joining any of our small groups, we would love to see you! To find out more, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.
Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
1 day ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your wisdom, which I know is far greater than mine. Please help me remember to stop and pray a moment before I agree to sign something. You can see what is going on behind the scenes and in people's hearts when I cannot. Lead me down the right path today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
2 days ago
Lord, please give me the wisdom that I need to get through day by day. Walk with me Father and let me see evil when comes my way. Help me to make good right decisions Father. In Jesus name I pray Amen ❤️
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Amen and Amen!!! Oh Lord, dear Heavenly Father, may I always start each day with You, may I always and in all things seek Your counsel, and may I always stay in Your will and Your plans for my life, and as I reach out to others, in the name of Jesus, AMEN!!!
Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to ALWAYS seek your counsel before I make decisions as I know you ALWAYS KNOW EMWHAT US BEST❤️🙏! In Jesus precious name I pray 🙏 Amen🙏❤️🙏❤️!!
Scott Riegelmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Amen thank you for your advice Father your ways are far better than mine.
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Amen. Forgive me Father for the times I didn’t take time to ask and listen. Seems like my life is full of these instances..then so many times when I did ask..l didn’t compare the answer up to Your Living Word. Your word doesn’t change because of my situation. Open up my spiritual eyes and ears so I can see and hear from Your Lord. In Jesus Name.
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
AMEN Please Father Help Me To Remember You First Before I Do Anything.Good Morning Everyone 😀
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your wisdom, which I know is far greater than mine. Please help me remember to stop and pray a moment before I agree to sign something. You can see what is going on behind the scenes and in people's hearts when I cannot. Lead me down the right path today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Good morning, y'all, happy Wednesday 🌻😀!
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Father, help me to always ask You for Your counsel when I make decisions. Amen!
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your wisdom, which I know is far greater than mine. Please help me remember to stop and pray a moment before I agree to sign something. You can see what is going on behind the scenes and in people's hearts when I cannot. Lead me down the right path today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Laura Clark commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Amen! How easily distracting this world can be. May I seek Your face at every turn and throughout my day, dear Jesus. Guide me and give me Your grace and wisdom. In Your precious, Holy name I pray, Amen
Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
I get it Jesus, this was all on me. This was my decision, I screwed up! Abba father forgive me, where do You want me to be, I will follow you, I give my life to you as a servent for your Glory. Show me Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Father, I pray for Discernment and Wisdom in my Life decisions. In Jesus name, Amen!
Raju Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Praise the Lord. Amen.🙏🙏
Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Enemy At The Gates
3 days ago
Yes my Lord, in Jesus's name I pray this, amen.