Thinking Out Loud
This past Sunday we learned in Joshua 9, that the Gibeonites are contrasted with every other people group in the region. While the kings in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea… gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel… the inhabitants of Gibeon… on their part acted with cunning (Joshua 9:1-4). That means that they acted wisely in order to enter into a peace agreement with Israel. Later in verse 24 we learn that they did this because they feared for [their] lives.
Fear comes at us in many ways and through a variety of circumstances. Fear, in and of itself is not an evil emotion. As a matter of fact, fear is sometimes brought about by God. The differentiating factor between healthy fear and ungodly fear is its object. Anything that grips your emotions so as to consume you with fear and anxiety, motivating you to self-reliance will rob you of peace. The object of your fear is your circumstance. It is a sin. Godly fear may grip your emotions and may consume you as well. But godly fear will motivate you to call out to God for help and will bring you to rest in Him. The object of your fear is your God (seeing God as greater than your circumstances). The peace that comes from a fear of God guards your heart and mind, even if your circumstances never change.
The kings of the land, driven by fear joined forces against God. The Gibeonites, driven by fear acted wisely, and sought peace with God and His people. Let what fear you have drive you to Christ.
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