Today’s Reading, Joshua 9-11
Focal Scripture: Joshua 9:26 “This is what Joshua did to them: he rescued them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.”
Being the bigger person is difficult. At times it means you have to make very difficult decisions that often go against your own self interest. It even means not telling details about topics and conversations that could cause damage to a multitude of people. For most of my life I only experienced this on a very small scale. Unfortunately, a few years ago I had to walk through this personally. The journey has been difficult, especially since my reputation has taken a hit because of deceitful people.
In today’s reading we see this scenario play out with Joshua and the Israelites. They were deceived by their neighbors and convinced that they were a group of people who needed help. In this conversation the Israelites promised not to harm them or destroy them. They promised to look out for them and give them resources. Later it was revealed to Joshua and the leaders that they were deceived. Instead of destroying these enemies, they kept their word with them and gave them jobs.
Joshua had a choice to make, he could keep his word or destroy people who lied to him and the Israelites. In an act of high character Joshua chose what was good and right. This had to sting, it also had to cause many doubts. But doing what is right can have that effect.
To go back to my situation I experienced a few years ago, I had to choose my character over vengeance. I was at a place where I witnessed and saw many terrible things from a person in leadership. They would say horrendous things about most people behind closed doors. He would talk about them personally and how sorry they are as individuals. Then this person would tear apart the institution they were working at on a daily basis. They would make comments about how this establishment didn’t deserve him and how the community would never amount to anything because of its thinking. He said he was the only hope the people and the institution had to survive.
Over the course of two years I got tired of hearing this on a daily basis. Over these two years this person also tried to bully me and intimidate me into submission. He threatened to destroy my future and even lied on several occasions concerning situations to gain support. So what did I do? I resigned quietly. I told a group of people just a little bit of how he treated me. I even mentioned briefly how he spoke about others. I left quietly, because to tell the truth publicly, would have hurt and destroyed many people. The damage that would have happened was not worth my selfish vindication.
I tell this story because I had to do what was right, even though it cost me personally. I have learned that the truth has yet to be told as why I resigned. My character has been smeared by others to cover up the truth. Blame has been shifted to hide the truth of this leader. I have even had numerous opportunities to attack the person and the institution because of their false statements. However, to do so means I would have to compromise my character and speak ill of a person and a place. To do that would violate scripture and I refuse to do that in my life.
I challenge you today to do what is right even if it cost you your reputation in the short term. The truth will always be revealed. The manner in which truth is revealed is more important. Be a person with high character even when everyone around you compromises theirs.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Joshua 12-15
