Belief in the Lord's Authority

Scripture: When King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, he became greatly frightened, because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities, and was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors. Joshua 10:1-2

Observation: As Israel invades the promised land, Gibeon tricks them into peace. Other local kings decide to attack Gibeon, perceiving this peace as a betrayal. In doing so, Israel will fight all five of the kings, and defeat and kill them all.

Part of their anger about Gibeon was that it should have been powerful, yet surrendered easily. Gibeon desired peace because they believed in and feared the Lord and his blessing upon Israel. The five kings attack because they have no such belief. Gibeon may not be the "chosen people" of Yahweh, but they see his work and believe in his power. The five kings measure power based on earthly standards, and thus thought Gibeon - a city larger than Ai with many warriors - should have resisted.

Application: There is a difference between believing in the God who created the universe and still operates today, and relying upon earthly means of power and authority. There was a time I may have believed God existed, but he had no true power, authority, or meaningful participation in the world today ... I would have called myself an existentialist in this regard. To the extent I believed in God, I believed he was ambivalent toward the people, maybe even a little antagonistic. This is a view of God that rejects his love, ignores the wonder of his creation, and despises his truth.

I no longer feel that way. I believe in the Lord's authority. But I also believe in his love, and in his promise of life by faith in Jesus. 

I lament for those who reject that love, hope, and promise. They often believe in the existence of the Lord, without any belief in the active authority of the Lord to bless and to heal and to restore and to bring joy. I know how desolate that life is.

Prayer: Lord, I know people who would declare they believe you exist, but would despise all aspects of you. They reject our authority, and ignore your love. I have hope for such people. May your love invade their lives in a way they cannot ignore, and may they find faith in the person of Jesus. Amen.