Readings for today: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69
Over the years, I have seen so many relationships and organizations fall apart due to false assumptions. An individual or group of people gets only part of the story and chooses to act on it rather than wait for all the information to come in. They grow impatient or succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and don’t take the time to make sure they talk to all parties involved. They tend to believe the worst rather than the best about others and the results are quite often disastrous. We see the same dynamic on display in today’s reading from Joshua. Remember, the tribes have been fighting side by side for some time now. They have bled together for the same cause on the same field against common enemies. One would think they would have built up a ton of trust by this point and yet it so easily breaks down. “Then the Israelites heard (about the altar) and said, “Look, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the frontier of the land of Canaan at the region of the Jordan, on the Israelite side.” When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (Joshua 22:11-12 CSB)
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and a disaster was prevented but how many times have we seen this happen in our own lives? How many times do people tell themselves only part of the story and therefore make decisions on incomplete information? How many times do we believe the worst about those around us rather than assume the best? How many times do we rush to judgment rather than waiting to get all the information? This is a huge problem in our world today and in the church today. It’s why I love Proverbs 18:17 so much. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” (Proverbs 18:17 CSB) Imagine what might change if we would simply put this verse into regular practice?
Last evening, I had dinner with some dear friends. They work for a global ministry with a strong track record of success. They themselves have served this organization for decades and have produced an incredible amount of gospel fruit over that time. They’ve built up a network of supporters over the years and do a great job of staying in regular communication with them. They are accessible. They are available. They are easy to talk to and ask questions if there are ever any concerns. However, the global ministry they work for launched an initiative that generated a great deal of controversy. Though they quickly pivoted and shuttered the ministry, the fallout was significant. My friends shared with me that they lost some supporters who had been with them for years. Many of these folks didn’t reach out to get my friends’ side of the story but simply dropped them. I see this all the time and the negative impact on the Kingdom is huge.
In the case cited above, a strong leader named Phineas intervened to save the day. He stepped in to make sure the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh got the chance to tell their side of the story. As a result, the very altar that was the source of the conflict became a physical witness to their unity. “So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (Joshua 22:34 CSB) What about you? How can you lead in such a way that everyone gets a chance to present their side of the story? It could be in your marriage or family, among your friends or neighbors, at work with colleagues or fellow students at your school. How can you make sure we avoid the dangers of false assumptions today?
Readings for tomorrow: Judges 1-3, Psalms 70 (No devotionals on Sundays)