The terrified Gibeonites devised a plan to avoid being conquered. Several men approached the camp dressed in dirty, worn-out clothes, carrying old wine and moldy bread. They told Joshua they were ambassadors from a distant land and asked Israel to enter into a covenant with them (Joshua 9).
Later, when Joshua learned the truth, the Israelites murmured that the Gibeonites should not be spared (v. 19). But the covenant was absolutely binding. It had to be honored, even though they had been tricked!
How much more will God, whose Word is settled in heaven, honor His covenant with you! Your Word, O Lord, has settled my past, present, and future. I trust Your Word for forgiveness of past sin. Your Word has prepared me to face my present with victory and to know that my future is eternally secure in You.
