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Notes

Today in chapel, Dr. Thomas White delivered a powerful sermon on the importance of trusting in the Lord rather than relying on ourselves. The message out of Joshua 9 reminded us that the greatest source of wisdom, guidance, and deliverance comes not from ourselves, but from God alone. The central idea of the sermon came from Proverbs 3:5–6: Trust in the Lord and not in your own understanding. 

In the opening verses of Joshua 9, we are introduced to the Gibeonites, who tricked the Israelites into making a peace treaty. The Gibeonites, fearing the God of Israel after hearing about His mighty acts, resorted to deception to save themselves. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land, showing worn-out clothes and moldy bread to make it seem like they had come from far away. Unfortunately, Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived. 

In Joshua 9:14, we read that "the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord." This is the key moment of failure in the story. The Israelites relied on their own judgment rather than seeking God’s guidance. Dr. White pointed out that their pride — thinking they could handle the situation themselves — led to a disastrous mistake. They didn’t pray or seek wisdom, and as a result, they fell into a trap. 

This mistake teaches us that we must constantly seek the Lord in all our decisions. Dr. White emphasized how easy it is to make the mistake of thinking we can handle things on our own. Whether it’s decisions at work, in relationships, or in everyday life, the tendency to act without seeking God’s wisdom is dangerous. “If you go to the Lord with everything you do, it will save you so many headaches,” Dr. White said, urging us to make seeking the Lord a daily habit. 

Despite Israel’s failure, the chapter ends with a surprising turn of events: God’s deliverance. The Israelites were bound by their treaty with the Gibeonites, but God used this situation to teach them valuable lessons about humility and trust. The Gibeonites were spared, and God later used them for His purposes. 

Dr. White’s message also had a practical application for us in our personal lives, especially in relationships. He challenged us to seek the Lord’s guidance in even the most personal areas, like choosing a spouse. Just as the Israelites needed to consult God before making decisions, we too must seek His will in everything. “Pray about who you are wanting to pursue a relationship with,” Dr. White said, encouraging us to trust God to guide our steps in all matters, big and small. 

When we seek the Lord, He guides us and protects us, even when we fall short. As Dr. White reminded us, no matter what situation we face, we should always run to God. Take refuge in Him, and He will lead you in the way you should go. Trusting in the Lord is not just a one-time act — it’s a daily habit that saves us from many heartaches and leads us to His astonishing mercy and grace.