When we hear the term blindsided what comes to mind? It literally means when we are caught off guard by someone or something causing us to wonder what just happened!

Joshua 9-10 In chapter 9 we meet those cagey Gibeonites whose philosophy was when you see that you can’t defeat ’em, join ’em. That was the thinking of the Gibeonites and they played the part to the hilt; dressing in rags, packing moldy bread and meekly approaching the camp of the Israelites bluffing their way into the heart of Joshua. Little did Joshua know, because he had not inquired of God, that he had been hoodwinked! They were the enemy! Cleverly they wormed their way into his heart and he signed a treaty. Now the tide has turned against the Gibeonites for their cleverness.  Too soon God’s enemies saw the Gibeonites as their enemy too. Fearing their destruction they send to Joshua for help. The Israelites were not happy with the leaders for their rash decision to accept them as truth-tellers only to find out that they had been deceived. Yet even in this God used this experience to bring Himself glory. Thus the story set before us.

Note God’s message to Joshua, I am handing these enemies over to you and not one can resist you. That is the truth of Romans 8:28 “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” God used the error of Joshua in not seeking His wisdom regarding the Gibeonites, to bring honor to Himself. God can and will use our mistakes to honor Himself. We often only see the underside of the cloud, but the silver lining, although hidden, will be revealed so He gets the credit, not us.

When was the last time you didn’t check with God and yet He used your mistake to bring about good?