I Hear Your Voice Speaking

THE WHOLE STORY
In my reading today, God showed me how my ugly human side acts just like those in scripture at times in my life. But, my faithful and loving God, always offers a life lesson to learn which will turn the ugliness into Godliness.
     Let's begin with Joshua 21:43, "So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there." Joshua then tells the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh that they have done all that Moses and himself commanded of them and their reward was rest as the Lord had promised. So now go and enjoy it, "but be careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way.
     The three groups were now released to start their new homes with the blessing of Joshua. Total excitement was in the air and they were grateful for their promised land. In their gratefulness, they built an altar to remind them and future generation that they served and honored the Lord, God of Israel. But, here comes that ugly human side of us all. News about this altar traveled fast among the rest of the Israelites who riled the nation of Israel with information that they had assumed. A questioning squad was formed and sent to get the scoop on this newly erected altar. 
     The questioning squad was fired up ready to deal with this disobedient group and, boy, were they in trouble. The squad arrives and immediately they blasts out, how could you, what were you thinking, why did you do this to us, now all of us are ruined. You rebelled against the Lord or against us by building an altar for your own glory and dishonored our Lord. Thanks a lot!!! 
     Say what, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in astonishment! What are you thinking, we wouldn't do such a thing and if we did do what you say we did, may The Mighty One, God, the Lord, the One who knows, spare us not! No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, 'What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? We built it to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at His sanctuary. This is a testimony of our faithfulness not of our rebellion. 
     Oh, why didn't you say that in the first place? Well, why did you assume and accuse without knowing the whole story? Oh, how many times have I done that. Way too many times! In this case, the questioning squad got the whole story and they were glad and praised God and the altar was named: A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.

     Too many times, I have plowed in without knowing the details completely, assumed and accused with the results not so pleasant, the ending not so pretty. God's lesson in Joshua 22, is not to assume or accuse without complete details of a situation. Things aren't always what they appear to be. Most times there is a history behind a situation that needs to be understood first. Once again, my faithful and loving God showed me a better way. Find out what The Whole Story is first and then comment. 
Father, the Mighty One, God the Lord, the One who knows all, grant me wisdom and understanding of Your ways, Your truths and Your love. Grant me the compassion you showed to me so that I might have that compassion for others. Let me be that witness for the future generation that  You, my Lord, You are God!