Who can we trust?

The LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.
1 Chronicles 28:9

Can I Trust You?

According to lie-detection experts, “Our natural tendency is to trust people.” 

However, not everyone is trustworthy all the time. Signs that someone may be lying include fidgeting, lack of eye contact, and noticeable pauses in speaking. Even with these clues, experts warn that it is still quite tough to tell deceivers from honest people.

Joshua needed to know if he could trust the Gibeonites. When they discovered that God wanted him to get rid of some neighboring nations (Joshua 9:24), they pretended to be from a faraway land. They arrived in worn out tunics and patched sandals, claiming, “Our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey” (v.13). The Israelites were suspicious (v.7), but they “did not ask counsel of the LORD” (v.14); and Joshua unwisely made a peace treaty with the deceivers.

Many want to gain our trust: salespeople, financial advisors, or estranged family members. If we wonder: “Can I trust you?” we shouldn’t decide quickly, based only on what seems right to us. It’s better to seek counsel from God’s Word (Psalm 119:105), godly people (Proverbs 11:14), and God Himself (James 1:5). Wisdom from above will help us decide who to trust.

Jennifer Benson Schuldt, Our Daily Bread, March 1, 2012, Joshua 9:1-16

Protect us from deceivers, LORD,

Who lie and plot to take

Advantage of us and confuse

Decisions we must make. 
---Sper

A desire for discernment is God’s call to prayer.

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