MANY THINGS are essential to arriving at true peace of mind—and one of them is faith.
The Narrative
IN THEIR PURSUIT to lay hold of God's promises, Joshua sent two spies on a secret mission.
Go in and see what you can find out about the people in that area. Pay special attention to the city of Jericho. (Joshua 2:1)
When they entered the town, they stayed at the home of a prostitute named Rahab.
Somehow, word reached the king that some Israelite spies had slipped into the city and might be visiting Rahab. That night, the king sent soldiers to her house with a message.
The king commands you to turn over the Israelite men who are staying with you because they are here to spy on all the land and its defences.
But Rahab had hidden them in the stalks of flax laid on her roof—and she told the soldiers that they left before the city gates were closed; so, the soldiers went in pursuit of the men.
I know that the Lord has given you this land, and your fear has fallen on us, said Rahab to the spies. (Joshua 2:8)
Lord, what do you have me do?
THE PEOPLE OF JERICHO were not just anxious; they feared for their lives.
They had heard how the Lord dried the Red Sea and how Israel defeated the Amorite kings.
They knew they were next, but Rahab begged the spies to show mercy to her and her family—and save them from death.
Whenever you hear some news, what comes to your heart?
For Nehemiah, it was to stand in the gap, to intercede for Israel and go back to rebuild. (Nehemiah 1:1-7)
In David's case, it was to fight Goliath and put an end to the reproach. (1 Samuel 17)
But for Rahab, it was to align to the Will of God and keep the spies safe.
When next you hear a thing, ask God, "Lord, what will you have me do?"
Cut a covenant with God.
TO RECIPROCATE her gesture, the spies made her a promise and took an oath—they made a covenant with her.
"You had the power to turn us in, but you saved us. Now we will do the same to you. Promise that you will not tell anyone what we are doing, and you'll have our word. We will treat you with kindness when the Lord gives us this land," said the spies. (Joshua 2:14-15)
Since her house was part of the city wall, she let the men down with a rope; she told them to escape into the mountains and hide there for three days.
But they told her to tie a red ribbon to her window, gather her family in her home, and be safe.
And when the Lord gave them Jericho, they brought Rahab and her family out of the city and burnt everything else. (Joshua 6:23)
My heart is blank Lord, "Write your story."
See with the eye of faith
EVERY CHALLENGE becomes an opportunity when you view life through the eye of faith.
If you allow, challenges will change your perception, grow your faith and deepen your relationship with God.
Anytime you walk in obedience to God, you create possibilities—by faith, the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with disobedient people. (Hebrews 11:31)
Rahab built her success upon her willingness to keep them safe and trust that they will keep their promise when they attack Jericho.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
MANY HAD SEEN her as a failure, and the inability to change will be fatal, so she aligned herself to the Will of God.
To respond to life, you must decide—that's where the heart chooses.
You must get to the point where you present your heart to Him and tell Him, "My heart is blank, Lord, write your story."