Scripture:
Joshua 6:22-25 ESV
[22] But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” [23] So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. [24] And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. [25] But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Observation:
I’m just going to be honest with you. Sometimes it’s hard to land on what to write a SOAP on. There is so much good stuff in GOD’s word. After long deliberation…and a prayer I landed on the story of Rahab. Yesterday was not far off but let’s recap Rahab believed what had been said about the LORD of Heaven and Earth being with the Israelites, and she took a chance by hiding them in the flax on the roof. Well, it paid off. The scarlet thread that came as the result of that one act of faith just kept her whole family from being destroyed. I could almost imagine her relief as she watched the walls fall yet her house even though it was built into the wall was not harmed. I just want us to think about that. The rest of the city was lying in ruin yet the house of a prostitute still stood. As men of war were raiding the city. The 2 men that were set under the flax knocked on the door to take her and her family to safety…everything else…destroyed…gone…all but the valuables, and they got added to the LORDS account.
Application:
It’s not easy to step out in faith. But it is totally worth it. I remember the day it all started for me. Sitting in a little church. Feeling like the pastor was talking directly to me. Telling me about the blood of Jesus and how HIS grace could set me free. I was bound in sin and addiction, and I knew no other way. But I felt the spirit of GOD pulling on my heartstrings telling me just put the scarlet thread out the window…what’s it going to hurt? You know because of that act of faith I have had the opportunity to see my stepson Tyler ask Jesus to lead his life… I have had the honor of baptizing my daughter. I could go on for days about the blessings that have taken place all because of one act of faith. There have been many steps in my journey since that day. Some have caused me to stumble. However, even in the stumble, I knew that the scarlet thread that held my life together would not break. It was strong enough to hold me. My point is I stand on faith today. When I am at the edge of the impossible I know that GOD has me. My question is what step of faith are you looking at today? What giant stands in your way? Are there walls around the city of your heart? Just grab ahold of the scarlet thread. It’s strong enough to hold us all.
Prayer:
Father, trust is not always easy for us. I am so grateful that you know that. I know that you are sending the message of who you are so that we can hear it, way before you ask us for the one step of faith. Father, I pray that you would show us that our faith is well worth it, that it’s not just a rope hanging out a window but the blood of Jesus that allows us to climb out of our sin whatever that may be. Jesus is strong enough to back the chains of addiction to stomp on the head of unforgiveness and to overcome fear. Your son has set us free. We no longer have to live in bondage. We can take the one step and watch the world change as the chains fall off our lives. Thank you, Father. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen