Read Joshua 22:32-34 – And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the rulers, returned from the children of Reuben and the children of Gad, from the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought back word to them. So the thing pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God; they spoke no more of going against them in battle, to destroy the land where the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt. The children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar, Witness, “For it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (NKJV)
God is our Sustainer—a trait we may not consider very often. But when we see Him protect us from disaster, we want to praise Him, don’t we? When we come close to a car accident or manage to avert a misunderstanding at work, we say, “God protected me,” and we are grateful. That’s what has happened in this story. The Israelites have avoided the civil war that threatened to break out because of a misunderstanding. They see their close call as the protecting hand of God and the moment actually draws them closer to God and to each other. How often do you think God protects you from trouble? Seems likely that the moments could number in the thousands or beyond, doesn’t it? For every time we realize He has shielded us, there are dozens of moments we didn’t see. Give that some thought today. Consider the blessings you enjoy in God your Sustainer and give thanks for such remarkable goodness. He’s at work in your life in so many ways you haven’t seen—and He deserves your praise in more ways that you can know or count.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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