Joshua 1-3
Such an encouraging passage. Repeatedly Joshua is told to 'be strong and courageous.' But God doesn't just leave us to figure out how to be that way without a foundation. Repeatedly Scripture say that God is with them. How cool is that? Moses has just passed away, but they are told that they are not alone...God will still be with them through Joshua.
Along comes Rahab...the harlot. Immediately Rahab picks her side...she trusts the God of the Israelite spies. She not only preemptively hides the spies, but tells them how they are feared by those who live in Jericho. Why would Rahab be so ready to believe in God...to put the life of her entire family into His hands?
I never thought about this before...but why a harlot? I mean, okay...God loves us all, no matter our past. It just seemed like 'one of those things.' But she knew about the exploits of God before they ever showed up. About the Red Sea, the kings of the desert, etc. Who told her of those things and that the God of Israel could be trusted? It had to be the travelers...those who had sought her out because she was a harlot. The others in Jericho may have been in fear of Israel and their God, but they weren't ready to trust Him to save their lives. Rahab was. She'd probably seen the conviction in the eyes of those who told her about the things beyond Jericho...and she was astute to know who to believe.
Not only did she put her faith in the God of Israel, but she knew the behavior of the government of Jericho and its armies. She knew to hide the spies, when and where to send them out of the city and for how long...and honestly, she was known enough that they came to her looking for the spies. Of all the harlot's on the wall, the spies were led to Rahab. That can't be a coincidence. Not only was Rahab ready to believe, but we will see soon if her family was ready to believe as well. Again...just my thoughts.
How amazing is God? He tells us to be strong and courageous, that He is with us, then He takes us to the right place, at the right time, for His purposes to be fulfilled.
Father in heaven, help me to be strong and courageous. Not because I'm so tough...but because You are with me! Because if it is part of Your plan for my life, You will have gone before me to make things ready. And if it's one of those things that is my choice, You are right there with me...even when the choice is wrong...You promise to not leave me. You will walk through this life with me. Be with me Lord to be strong and courageous, knowing that God is with me...and help me seek You first and to hear Your voice so my choices are not mine...but Yours. In Jesus' name. Amen
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