Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to know the facts. When someone would tell me something, I had to learn about it and seek out the truth. When I was in high school, I spent a lot of time in research. I also did puzzles which challenged me to take the facts and find the truth with what was presented to me as evidence. It was part of my legal training. Even today I spend much of my time reading non-fiction books. I have a great love for facts. In my employment and in ministry, facts are very important.
Today’s verse is one snippet from a passage where God’s people messed up. It simply says that the Israelites looked at a group of men and took their word. They trusted the people. The bread looked old. The clothing looked dirty and worn. They accepted the evidence. Even worse, they did not go to God about it. They accepted lies and agreed to a treaty.
These people paid the price for not looking for the truth. We too can pay a hefty price when we accept what others call “truth” as truth without consulting God. It is important to seek the Truth at all times. God is the Truth. Therefore as things are presented to you and you do not know what is real, what is true, what is God’s will—turn to God. Call upon the Holy Spirit. Ask God about it.
“The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didn’t ask God about it.”
– Joshua 9:14 [MSG]
Tania Gutekunst 