His hands
Joshua 9:25, “Now behold, we are in your hands ; do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us.” 26 Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them.”
The nation of Israel had been delivered by God from Egypt; had wandered through the wilderness for forty years, and now they were in the Promised Land that God had sworn to Abraham that He would give his descendants. When they began their conquest of the Land other nations saw and heard how God was giving them what He had promised, and they trembled before them.The nations recognized the power that had been given the Israelites, and confessed that they were at their mercy.
The story told here in Joshua 9 reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 50. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, and through the miraculous works of God he had come to great power in Egypt. His family then came to him requesting help. He saved them by the power God had given him, although they were unaware of who he was.
Because of his love for his family he brought them to Egypt, and took care of them. When Joseph’s father, Jacob, died his brothers became worried that he would repay them for their harsh treatment. But Joseph reassured them by saying, Genesis 50:18, …”Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place ? 20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21″So therefore, do not be afraid ; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” In his humility Joseph understood that he was being used by God to protect His children, and that he had no power that was not given to him by God. So, even though his brothers had mistreated him he could not avenge himself because they, and he, were in the hands of God.
When Jesus Christ came to this earth proclaiming the love of God many people were threatened by His teachings, but He condemned no one, but He proclaimed the love of God; and reminded us all that we are in the hands of God. In His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus reminds us that He will keep us safely in the hands of God when we come to Him for salvation, John 17:12″While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”
Just as Joseph, and the Israelites protected those who came to them, Jesus Christ will keep us safely in the hands of God if we will come to Him!
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Father God, I thank You for sending Jesus to protect me from harm, and by Him keeping me safely in Your loving hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Yes, You Can Ministry 