Joshua 9 The Gibeonite Deception

One of the greatest powers God has conferred upon me and every human being is the power of choice. But the ability to make choices is not what makes me free. In the kingdom of God, true freedom is to be in relationship with God. Enslavement to sin will skew my choices for evil, but enslavement to my God will free me from the oppression of evil to make choices that are good for me and others. There is no neutral position; it is either good or evil. 

One of the most prominent manifestations of evil designed to oppress, even crush, my happiness is deception. The enemy is out to make me believe something that is not true. A deception is designed to look like truth. Biting on deception is like biting on bait placed on a hook. It's ultimate purpose is my demise. And when I make decisions based on deception, I bring upon myself consequences that may last a lifetime. Wisdom is to make good decisions. Good decisions are based on the discernment of the truth. The discernment of the truth is not possible without God's counsel because God is truth.

Unfortunately, Joshua made a decision, even a covenant, without seeking God's counsel. The Gibeonites deceived him to think they were people from far lands when indeed they were inhabitants of the land Joshua set out to conquer. Because of the hasty decision, Joshua made a covenant with the Gibeonites and spared their lives. The Israelites made them slaves, but they had to live with them every day; a daily reminder of their disobedience to the Lord. Deception is powerful and can alter one's life forever. The Gibeonite deception is a reminder of the Satanic deception in the Garden of Eden.

True freedom is in my subjection to the counsel of God. His counsel will help me discern the truth and avoid deception. My decision-making will be wise if I consult my God through prayer and his Word. Happiness will follow me, if I follow God's counsel. Wisdom and its benefits are rooted in choices guided by God's will. I want to exercise my power of choice while enslaved to my God. It is the only way to experience the joy of true freedom.

Oh God, I dedicate myself to you. I want to be wholly yours. May I seek you day by day and consult you before making decisions. Guide me with your truth. Spare me from deception.

Matthew 8:1-4 Jesus Cleanses a Leper

"Leprosy" refers to many different skin diseases from a rash to actual leprosy. People diagnosed with leprosy were commanded by the law to wear torn garments and let their head hair hang loose.  Also, they were to cry out "unclean, unclean" while covering their upper lip as they walked down the streets. Moreover, they were to live alone, outside the camp (city).

The unclean status of a leper was so public that he/she was ostracized from society. People would not touch them since they were unclean. Lepers were left to live a very lonely life as they were moved outside the camp. Since no employer would hire a leper, most of them were left to beg to survive. Leprosy took away homes, social life, jobs, even dignity.

Jesus paid attention to the leper and even touched him to make him clean. Then, he asks him to go to the priest to be pronounced officially clean. One of the cleansing rituals for lepers used two birds. One was to be killed. The other was to be dipped in the blood of the other and set free. The one declared clean had to be sprinkled with that blood.

Leprosy represents sin in my life. My cleansing and my freedom is possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. I have been sprinkled with his blood to be able to spread my wings and fly, soaring the skies above for the glory of God. I can't forget that my ability to fly freely was purchased with blood - a life. I can't forget that my freedom was given to help others become free. Like Jesus, I must pay attention to the cry of those in bondage. I must be willing to touch their lives as a member of the body of Christ so that they can be set free and many times recover what sin took away from them.

God Almighty, thank you for Jesus Christ your Son, who came to give his blood to sprinkle my soul and declare me clean of my sin. May your love and compassion fill me to pay attention to those in bondage and minister to them. May I seek their freedom as I enjoy the abundant life you have granted me.