When Joshua sent two men to spy out the land, the spies were hidden from the King of Jericho by a harlot named Rahab. To save the lives of the spies, she misdirected the king’s men, telling them that the spies had already left the city, and if pursued quickly, they could possibly be overtaken. She knew the spies were part of the children of Israel and had heard about God’s great exploits to save them. Although from an idolatrous nation, she understood God’s sovereignty over both heaven and earth. All of her countrymen feared the Israelites, but she requested mercy from the spies for not only herself but her entire household. She saw a small and fleeting crack which moved her to an unexplained level of expectation. If she, without knowing God personally, moved and expected the unthinkable from her enemies no less, you, woman of God, should have an even greater response of faith to life’s challenges.
We are not told whether her family shared her expectations but simply know that her request was granted. Don’t think for a moment that the plan of salvation ended with just the sparing of lives. Our God insists on having a relationship with each of us. His plans are designed, not to hurt or harm, but to bring us to an expected end. This plan rarely looks like one of our own design. He uses the enemy’s plans so that iron sharpens iron. The fires, forged from the pit of hell, are used for His glory to bring forth the calling, purpose, and destiny established by a loving God. Later, we find that Rahab’s blessed with being included in Jesus’ royal lineage.
The true enemy has an unchanging MO to steal, kill, and destroy. He will take both you and your loved ones out at the first opportunity, without regards to your level of understanding or whether you and your family are adequately equipped. He’s not looking for a fair fight but for cracks in the armor of the children of the Most High God. He has expectations too you know. Don’t fall in line with his lies, rolling over and playing dead, claiming that you’re too tired for the battle. Move forward with your own set of unexplained expectations and gird yourself with the gospel of truth. I’m here to tell you exactly what those truths are as I’ve experienced them: that those who wait on the Lord renew their strength; that in the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy; that no weapon formed against the children of God prospers; and that everything that exalts itself against the Name of the Most High bows because of the faithfulness of a limitless God.
More than a year and a half ago, I transitioned my son from my home into an unforgiving real world much earlier than I wanted. As a mother, my heart and arms ached to hold and keep him within the confines of a prayerful home. Out there were challenges and temptations presented by an unrelenting enemy which he had yet to fully comprehend. Our estranged relationship eventually healed enough so that it was punctuated with head nod responses from him to each “I love you” from me, although laced with anger, mistrust, and bitterness. As soon as I released him into the world, I began to celebrate his return. Just like Jesus, I looked for that unseen, yet-to-manifest joy that was before me. I looked for cracks in the enemy’s armor, celebrating and thanking God for each seemingly small and insignificant victory. As time progressed, the heartbreaking head nod became a murmured, muffled “I love you” until eventually new memories replaced old ones, and more healing appeared, allowing for the scales of many lies to lay at his feet.
Are you vigilantly looking at your family relationships and other situations that have been shaken and bruised by the enemy’s assaults? Being as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove? Are you looking for opportunities to save and restore life? Checking for cracks in the enemy’s armor caused by your prayers and faithfulness in trusting God? Can you see that the windows of heaven are indeed opening up as you do not faint and loose heart? Be encouraged dear woman of God. Within the perimeters of your faith and confidence in Him, is the reward, the blessing which comes with no sorrow. Continue to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the sovereignty of God who reigns in heaven and rules on earth!
It’s in There
Joshua 2; Joshua 6:22-25; Matthew 1:5; John 10:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 8:28; Hosea 4:6; James 1:6-8; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Hebrews 11:1; Isaiah 40:29-31; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 54:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 10:16; Hebrews 10:32-35; Proverbs 10:22
