Nothing Can Touch Me!

The car that just sped through the stop sign and almost took you out. The bank robbery that took place just after you left. The flat tire that put you on the side of the road, but OUT of the 10 car pile-up that suddenly took place. All of these things that happen to us are NOT COINCIDENCE! They happen due to divine intervention and protection from the Angel of the Lord! He encamps us, chases and persecutes for us, and charges for us!


First of all, He camps, or encamps around us, as the picture above. Psalm 34:7 says," The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, AND delivereth them." He stands guard over His saints in protection. "Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler and STAND UP FOR MINE HELP" Psalm 35:1&2. As the Lord encamps about us, this creates a hedge around us. This Hedge IS GOD HIMSELF! Only what He ALLOWS through will get through! In the book of Job this hedge is first mentioned. "Hast thou not made AN HEDGE ABOUT HIM, and about his house, and about all that he that on every side?..." Job. 1:10. These words were spoken by Satan himself! He knows very well all of the hedge and encampment that the Lord has placed around us for protection. No doubt he has tried numerous times to get through to all of us, but has failed, only receiving admission by the Lord.(Job 2:6) If he recognizes this fact, why can't we?!Why do we stay so fearful of events or daily things that may affect us? We need not fear, but trust in the Lord's encampment, fully knowing that He is well-able to protect and shield us from harm!

Secondly, the Angel of the Lord CHASES away our enemies. He not only keeps Satan and his minions out, He persecutes the workers of iniquity! Psalms 35:5&6 says, "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord  CHASE them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD  PERSECUTE them." Our enemies cannot even stand before us if the Lord doesn't allow them too! He will speedily make them flee our presence.  "He hath delivered my soul in peace from THE BATTLE that was against me; FOR THERE ARE MANY WITH ME!" Jesus delivers us! "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee; HE SHALL NEVER SUFFER THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE MOVED!" Psalm 55:22.

Lastly, the Angel of the Lord Charges for us! "For He shall give His angels CHARGE over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11 & 12. The Lord sends out the CHARGE to HIS "ministers of flaming fire" to give us EVEN MORE protection! If the Lord is concerned enough for the smallest aspect of our well-being, such as hurting our foot, how much more for our health and very lives! In Genesis when Jacob was returning home to meet his brother Esau, the Lord sent an angel band to keep a hedge about him as well! (Gen. 32:1). The Lord allowed him to see this band, to give encouragement to Jacob that the Lord was going before him. We may not see the Angel of the Lord around us physically as Jacob did, but we can see Him through the eyes of FAITH IN HIS WORD! We can know that they are waiting for the very word to attack the forces of evil, whether human or supernatural, for our defense! "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little one; for I say unto you, That in heaven their ANGELS do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 18:10.

Whether it is a physical, mental, or spiritual attack, we can rest assured that the ANGEL OF THE LORD is ENCAMPED  around us always! He will NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US! (HEB.13:5). Even if it seems He is gone, He is there. Even when it seems all Hell is against us, and it may be, HE IS ALMIGHTY! He will chase it away, and HE WILL PREVAIL for us! He is ever watching and will give the CHARGE for our defense when it is NEEDED! He WILL NOT suffer the righteous to be moved! May the Lord give us His Grace to know that we can trust in His protection and that He will keep us from all harm!

Sheltered By His Grace

 

 

Let me start out by saying that we need to be praying for all of the people in Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding cities. I can't imagine what they are going through right now with severe loss. I went through a tornado in 2007 when it passed behind my house and that was scary enough, so I can't fathom the fear those children felt in the schools that were hit.The Lord had laid a certain verse on my heart last week for a blog post, and then with the events in Oklahoma these last few days confirmed it for me. I found this picture this morning right before I started this post and knew I was supposed to use it.

 

Psalm 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Our children are a gift from the Lord. May we NEVER take this for granted. The blessing of being a parent definitely has its rewards and challenges. But, more importantly it comes with a great RESPONSIBILITY!  In Psalms 146:3, we are told, "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." Although our nation, leaders, and the world are telling us otherwise, as this teacher above testified, WE ARE GIVEN A GREATER COMMANDMENT FROM THE LORD." "We ought to obey God rather than men," Acts 5:29.  We HAVE TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN OF THE LORD. It is not in them, due to our sinful natures, to know His ways. The Lord has given us three different ways to "declare His mighty acts," and teach our children of Him.

 

First, we must TEACH them His Word! Deutoronomy 11:18-21 says, "Therefore shall ye lay up these MY WORDS in your HEART and in your SOUL, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall TEACH THEM YOUR CHILDREN, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates;That your days may be multiplied, AND THE DAYS OF YOUR CHILDREN, in the land which the LORD sware unto you your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." The main reason our nation is in the moral and spiritual state that we our in is that this one simple command of the Lord has NOT BEEN DONE! The Lord said if we did so, that we would be blessed with our families, our nation, and we would not even complain! (Psalm 144:10-15 & Psalm 33:12). What a sad testament it is to see our country in the shape that it is in when compared to God's Word! We need to read our children God's Word, and teach it to them through memorizing it. The fact that this is easier for some to do than others it true, but I have come to learn that people, me included, tend to do what they really WANT TO! If we know that this is of utmost important in teaching our children the Word, we will make an effort to do so. Whether it is helping them repeat their Sunday School verses, helping them write short verses, or just helping them read the Bible, it CAN BE DONE! Their minds are very sharp and can remember the most that they will ever remember now, so we need to help them with this to help in days to come. Psalm 119:49 & 50 say, "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to HOPE. THIS IS MY COMFORT IN MY AFFLICTION: for THY WORD hath quickened me." Remembering scripture is what the Lord will use to help comfort us and our children  as we go through the promised trials of life. How can we expect them to do right or to know God's comfort if they do not know His Promises?

 

 

Secondly, we need to read God's Word ourselves as parents and be grounded in it. How can we teach our children God's Word if we don't even know it, or are at least familiar with it? "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. To TRAIN someone, you have to know what you are doing yourself, or have done it before. If we TRAIN up our children in the Bible, it will NEVER leave them. They may go out into the world as many of us have, but the Lord has promised that His Word will not depart from them, that has been instilled in them. They will have to make a choice for themselves, but praise the Lord, His Word will be there to direct them in the way that they SHOULD GO!  "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to they word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE." Psalm 119:9-11. The training we give them in the Lord through Bible and prayer will last, for they are both eternal!

 

Lastly, we should TAKE THEM TO CHURCH! Yes, I said TAKE them to church, not just send them! The things our children see us do lets them know what we consider to be important or not. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Psalm 121:1. "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4. Even nature itself is used as an example of this. Psalm 84:3 says, "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may LAY HER YOUNG, EVEN THINE ALTARS, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God." We have birds that have made nests on top of the pillars outside at our church, and I think of this verse every time I see them. Just as the Psalmist said the birds choose God's house as their home (nests), and lay down their young on the altars, so should we. Just as Abraham laid down Isaac on the altar, giving him over to the Lord, so should we. We need to bring them to God, ask for His protection over them, and to have HIS WILL in their lives! Not what we want, but what HE WANTS to do in their lives for HIS GLORY! How can they see God move among His people and see them "worship in the beauty of holiness" if they are not there? How will they learn to give praise and thanks with worship to the Lord to teach their children? It will become a vicious cycle that will continually spiral downward, which is what has brought our nation to where is today.

 But, this CAN BE REVERSED! II Chronicles 7:14 & 15 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND. NOW MINE EYES SHALL BE OPEN AND MINE EARS ATTENT unto the prayer that is made in this place." This last verse is often left off. The Lord says His eyes and ears are open and waiting for this prayer and turning back to Him. We need the Bible back in our families, homes, and schools! We need prayer back, as this teacher above did, in our families, homes, and schools!  May our prayer be today for our families, those children in Oklahoma, and our nation as a whole-"Save thy people, and bless thine INHERITANCE; FEED them also, and LIFT THEM UP FOREVER." Psalm 28:9 Then we can say of our nation again, "Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord.." Psalm 33:12. May we keep them sheltered by His Grace!

 

What Difference Does It Make?

 

here are two events in the Bible that teach this important truth. The first in in Judges 7 :1-7
The Lord had called Gideon to lead the children of Israel in battle against the Midianites. They were on the north hill against Israel, about 4 miles away. There were 32,000 men for Israel. The Lord told Gideon that this was too many people to take into battle, for they would be lifted up in pride that THEY had defeated the enemy because of their great number. He told Gideon to proclaim to the people that all of the fearful needed to go home. When he did so, 22,000 people left! The Lord said there was still too many people, so there was to be a test among the 10,000 left. They were told by Gideon to go down to the water to get a drink of it. The soldiers UNKNOWINGLY went down to perform this test. The Lord said to separate the ones that drank out of their hands, scooping the water up to their mouths and lapping it like a dog does, to one side. Everyone else that bowed down to the water was separated to the other side, vs 5&6. The Lord had chosen the men that cupped the water to their mouth to fight the battle, which ended up being 300. These were the Lord's chosen soldiers. What difference did it make as to who drank one way, and who drank another? This simple act was a test to prove how each man handles himself as a soldier, and to show what was really in their heart, as far as service goes.Even though the enemy was four miles away, the men that bowed down to drink of the water couldn't see what was going on around him. He would have been taking his eyes off of the enemy, opening the door for vuneralbility, and comprising the safety of himself and those around him! Since they couldn't see the enemy, how would they know if the Midianites weren't lurking around the corner unawares? "Be sober, be VIGILANT;because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH,.." I Peter 5:8 &9a. With their heads down, focusing on only fulfilling THEIR NEED, they were in jeopardy, even within that split second. The enemy COULD HAVE ATTACKED and they would have never seen it coming. The men that cupped the water, on the other hand, were being vigilant. They were getting the necessities done quickly, still having THEIR NEED MET, never loosing sight of where the enemy was and what was going on with the other soldiers around him. They were also able to see Gideon, should he give the command to attack, or give new orders. We need to ALWAYS keep our eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2) so that we can see what He wants us to do, when He wants us to. These men knew the task at hand, and were purposed to do it. Just as Barnabas told the Christians at Antioch, we should "with PURPOSE OF HEART....cleave unto the Lord." Acts 11:23. The Lord knows what is in each of our hearts, (I Sam.16:7) and knows what we will do when put to the test. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." II Corinth. 10:18. Although none of the soldiers were commiting a sin, or doing something wrong, it shows we can do something right, but in a wrong way. We are to look on the needs of fellow Christians to help when the need arises, Galatians 6:2. If we are so consumed with our needs and doing our own thing, what good are we in the battle? It makes a DIFFERENCE in our service if we are doing it for the Lord, PURPOSELY AND VIGILANTLY if we want to be used for Him.

The second event was when Moses smote the rock in the wilderness to give the children of Israel water instead of SPEAKING to it. Exodus 17:6 says the Lord told Moses to smite the rock at Horeb the first time He gave them water. This was a type of Jesus, the Rock or chief Cornerstone, being smitten on the cross, thus providing eternal life for us, like the physical water would keep the Israelites alive. A second time the people needed water at Meribah, meaning strife, and once again, the people strove with Moses saying they were going to die, Numbers 20:2-13. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in prayer, and the Lord told Moses to gather the assembly, and SPEAK TO THE ROCK, "and it shall five forth his water.." vs. 8. When Moses gathered them, he took the rod, and called the people "rebels", and asked "must we fetch you water out of this rock?" vs. 10. He then SMOTE the rock again, instead of SPEAKING to it as he was commanded. The water still came out of the rock! Moses blatantly disobeyed, but God still blessed and gave the people water! "If we believe not, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL; He CANNOT deny Himself." II Timothy 2:13. Even though Moses didn't believe what the Lord told him (vs.12),the Lord still gave the people water, in spite of Moses sin, because He had promised to provide their needs. The Lord told Moses to SPEAK to the rock, which was a picture of how Jesus only had to die once to take away our sins, but we can now pray to Him to meet our needs. Hebrews 7:27 states that it was only necessary for Jesus to offer Himself ONCE. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us "to come boldly unto the throne of grace." When Moses smote the rock instead of speaking to it, he was in essence saying that the first time was not sufficient, and showed his lack of faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. Faith and belief in God's word affected Moses' actions, and thus effected his blessing. Because he didn't obey God's command, his blessing of entering the Promised Land was taken away! (Numbers 20:12).I cannot imagine, after working for over 40 for the Lord on the task He had given, and then not being able to finish it! Moses would die and the Lord buried him, after the Lord let him SEE the Promised Land, Deut. 34:1-7. What difference did smiting or speaking make? It was a matter of his life, or death!

What difference does it make? EVERYTHING MAKES A DIFFERENCE! How it is done, why it is done, and to whom it is done makes a difference! Our service to others, the Lord, our blessings, and even our life depends upon it! May the Lord help us today to PURPOSE in our hearts to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and have faith in Him in EVERYTHING WE DO!

Jesus Loves Me This I Know....

Today for Sunday School, my class made a card for their mothers. They colored a picture of a mother reading the Bible to her little boy, and then we glued a poem I wrote about mothers on the back. Our lesson was from Isaiah 66:13 "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;...". As I studied for the lesson, the Lord showed me how He cares for us as a mother does for her children. I thought about how my Moma would take care of all five of us, get us fed and ready for the day, and then get us to bed at the end of it. She worked continually cleaning house and running errands for the home and my Daddy's business. She took care of us over and over when we were sick. But most of all, my Moma always made sure we were in church. She would read Bible stories to us sometimes at night. She constantly helped us learn our Bible verses. We KNEW that loving Jesus was the most important thing, and that we need to be saved. By God's grace, all five of us have asked the Lord to save us. I know it was Him that did this, but He used both of our parents in a great way in doing so. Just as the Lord gives us daily bread from His Word, heals us as the Great Physician when we are sick, and tells us of His love for us in His Word, so did my Moma. Just as Jesus loves us like we were His ONLY CHILD, my Moma did with all five of us. Never showing favoritism, as my bottom can testify! :) But, I'm thankful for that correction, just as He continues to correct me now. So, today on Mother's Day, I thank you Lord for my Moma. I pray for your grace to help me raise my children in You, just as she did. Thank you for this wonderful blessing, I definitely didn't deserve. I love you Moma!

The poem the kids gave their Moms...

Jesus Loves Me This I Know...
 Jesus loves me this I know,
For my Moma tells me so!
From her Bible she tells me,
Of the Cross at Calvary.

 Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Moma loves me,
Yes, they take care of me,
For the Bible tells me so!

Everyday Moma gives me love,
Just like Jesus up above,
Feeds me with my daily bread,
And God's Manna like He said.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Moma loves me,
Yes, they both feed me,
For the Bible tells me so!

Even when I'm hurt or ill,
Moma gives me comfort still,
Prays for Jesus to heal me,
His tender love she helps me see!

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Moma loves me!
Yes, they both comfort me!
Thank God He made it so!

The Scarlet Thread Poem

The Scarlet Thread
Living in Jericho each day was a dread,

My life bound in sin,

Inside I felt dead.


Then I heard of THE GOD that set His people free,

Bringing them safely through the Red Sea.

Inside my heart melted from this decree,

Kings were also removed,

What would happen to me?


Then one night two men appeared at my door,

These two were different than all those before.

They told of God’s promise to take Jericho,

I knew right then I’d be first to go!

I told them I’d heard what THE LORD had done,

And I truly believed HE is the only HOLY ONE!

Safe they would be if they spared me,

Saving my life and my whole family.


A promise was made, a true token I was given,

A scarlet thread-

I knew my sin had been forgiven!


Just as I was spared, so long ago,

You can be too, from your Jericho!

There is a Saviour whose Blood He has shed,

Died on a cross, and rose from the dead!

He’ll save you too, just like He has said,

Remove your sin, shame, and dread,

With HIS SCARLET THREAD!

Section of the Wall at Jericho that archaeologists found STILL STANDING! Even though your world is literally "falling down" around you, you CAN STAND AND have a FIRM FOUNDATION ON THE SOLID ROCK!

Operation Scarlet Harlot-Conclusion

A SCARLET THREAD was given to Rahab as the SEAL, or TRUE TOKEN for assurance that she would be saved. Just as when we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb, we are given the SEAL of the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD! This is one of the evidences of our Salvation that we can know thereby that we are saved. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30. This was the token that would ensure the safety of Rahab and give her assurance.

The Scarlet Thread was called by four different terms, or words. This was for a reason.The first one is TOKEN (Josh. 2:12). It is the Hebrew word "outh", where we get our English word "oath" from, and is in the use of appearing, flag, beacon, monument, omen, evidence, mark, miracle or ensign. Everyone of these words seemed to fit, except omen to me. I looked up the definition of OMEN, and it is- a sign or indication of some future event! This Scarlet Cord, or True TOKEN was the sign that she would be brought out when Joshua came to take the city! Our token of the HOLY SPIRIT is our TOKEN, or EARNEST, that we will be redeemed or taken out when Jesus comes back! II Corinthians 1:22 says, "Who hath also SEALED us, and given the EARNEST of the Spirit in our hearts." Just as you pay earnest money on a home as down payment, as proof that you are coming back to purchase the home, Jesus has given us the "down payment" or "EARNEST" OF THE HOLY SPIRIT as a TOKEN that He will come back for us as well!

The second word used is CORD, (Josh. 2:15). CORD is defined as "a measuring line-twisted-inheritance as measured-a portion. This Scarlet CORD was the standard that all of Jericho was compared to. They were measured and "found wanting,"(Daniel 5:27). All of our "righteousnesses" are as filthy rags in God's sight compared to the Blood of Jesus. (Isaiah 64:6). But the Lord also has given grace to us "according to the MEASURE of the gift of God." (Eph.4:7). Psalms 16:5 says "The Lord is the PORTION of mine INHERITANCE ...". He MEASURES unto each of us grace and IS OUR INHERITANCE AND PORTION! Just as Rahab now would be set apart from all others in Jericho and have a place or inheritance in Israel, so are we set apart with the MEASURE OF GRACE to receive the Lord as our PORTION AND INHEIRITANCE!

The third word used is LINE. It means a cord, expectancy, hope, live thing that I long for.This cord is what brought her expectancy to be delivered safely from the city, and what she was waiting for them to do when they returned. It represented the BLESSED HOPE we all have as Christians. It is what we long for daily, to be delivered from this sinful world, and to be with the Lord. As the definition says it is a "live thing," or a living thing, it is something that is real because this HOPE IS A PERSON! JESUS IS HIS NAME!

The fourth word used is THREAD. THREAD means to sew, connects beginning to the end, a string-a measuring tape-cord-line-thread. This THREAD, the blood, connects the beginning of time to the end of time-THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA! The beginning and the end! This is Jesus Himself! Salvation has ALWAYS been the measuring tape or standard for Salvation, and the thread that connects salvation from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Old Testament saints looked FORWARD TO the sacrifice of Jesus Blood, and we LOOK BACK to His death and resurrection. SALVATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT FAITH IN JESUS' BLOOD! AMEN!

The Scarlet Cord was made from the flax that Rahab had laid out in order on the top of her roof. Flax cord has to be made from 3 separate cords, each equal in length and strength, twisted, and made as one, and runs from top to bottom! This is nothing more than a picture of the TRINITY! The Great Three in One! God the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World, and gave us His Holy Spirit as our Comforter until He returns.

The Scarlet Cord was dyed from a special dye. Scarlet is obtained from an insect in the Middle East to Northern Africa region called the Coccid. This insect FIRMLY attaches itself to a TREE, lays eggs (life), and then DIES, protecting the eggs with its BODY, until they HATCH! From this insect's BLOOD and dead body, the DYE IS OBTAINED!  Jesus came to this Earth over 2,000 years ago, and purposely, FIRMLY ATTACHED Himself to a tree, gave LIFE TO US, and PROTECTS US WITH HIS BLOOD AND SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS! Jesus gives us 'NEW LIFE' and makes us a 'NEW CREATURE' just as this example states! What a wonderful Creator we have to give us pictures of Himself in His Creation!

Three other objects in nature are used to describe the color Crimson-the rose, the flame, and the fire brick stone. Is not Jesus "the Rose of Sharon", a "Consuming Fire", and "The Chief Cornerstone?"
 
Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as SCARLET, they shall be as WHITE as snow, Though they be red like CRIMSON, they shall be as wool." On the color wheel, when two colors that are alike are combined, they cancel each other out, producing the color white. Our CRIMSON stains of sin, are covered with JESUS' CRIMSON BLOOD, and are cancelled out, OR WASHED WHITE AS SNOW!
 
There were SPIES to view the SPOIL. A SINNER that needed SALVATION. A SNITCH told the SECRET. The SUMMONS produced a STAND. Rahab's STORY still ended in SOLACE. SALVATION ALWAYS comes by the SAVIOUR. A SCARLET THREAD made Rahab a SISTER in Israel. How about you today? This Scarlet Thread is still saving lives today, just as it did Rahab's thousands of years ago. The BLOOD OF JESUS WILL NEVER LOSE IT'S POWER! Are your crimson stains covered by the
.......................SCARLET CORD?

Operation Scarlet Harlot-Part 2

 

 

Quick recap BRIEFING from yesterday- There were two SPIES to search out the SPOIL. There was a SINNER in need of a SAVIOUR! A SNITCH told the SECRET. This was just the first part of the mission. Today we'll look at the middle of the mission.

 

Joshua 2:2 says the secret, that the spies had entered Jericho, was told unto the King of Jericho. This produced a SUMMONS. Verse 3 says that the King sent unto Rahab, telling her to bring out the spies because they were come to seek out the city's destruction. This summons produced a STAND that had to be taken. Anytime the world makes a command and tries to enforce it upon God's people, we have a choice to make. We can choose to STAND for the Lord, or "bow down" to the decree of the wicked. Acts 5:29 says, "... We ought to obey God rather than men." This is just what Rahab did. She knew that it was the Lord that had sent them there and that she was to provide them with shelter. Rahab chose to stand for God. But, with the stand that has to be made, there is a decision that has to be made about HOW to do that.

 

Rahab took a STAND, but told a STORY.  We are to take a stand, but we need to do it according to God's Word and Way, not ours or the world's way.  Romans 3:8 says, "..Let us do evil that good may come?...whose damnation is just." Paul pretty much meant God help us if we do something wrong in order to get a CHANCE to do something that is right. Rahab was a new believer, and having been raised in Pagan society, she was not taught the ways of the Lord. She probably thought nothing of lying. When we get saved, things do not always change over night. We have to learn things as the Lord changes us from the inside out. But, the Lord is patient with His children and blesses us in spite of ourselves! He still blessed the spies and protected them! So, even though there was a STORY, God provided a SOLACE! Rahab could have been killed according to the rules of warfare had they found the spies at her home. She had faith to know that the Lord was going to protect them since He had given them the land. But, the fact remains that she placed her life on the line. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Just as our Lord spoke these words, and did so for us, we should be willing to do the same for Him. Are we willing to do whatever it takes to obey the Lord and serve Him? Rahab seemed to already have understood this important truth. She knew that if God had graciously saved her from destruction in the city, that He would keep her safe from the King as well.

 

Rahab took the spies to the roof of her house, where she had laid out flax, in order, upon the roof to dry. She left them to tell the king's men the STORY, but was back to talk to the spies before they could even lay down, vs. 8. This is when her SALVATION was proclaimed. To bring this SALVATION, there had to be a SAVIOUR! She confessed with her mouth, that she believed in her heart, that the LORD, or JEHOVAH, was the only true God, (Romans 10:9 &10). When we trust the Lord as Saviour, we need to do the same thing. We should tell it publicly.  Because she believed, she hid the spies, and was now going to ask them for safety in return. But, Rahab was not only concerned for herself, but for all of her family. They promised safety for her family as well, AS LONG AS THEY ENTERED HER HOME! Her family wouldn't be saved just because she was. They would be saved if they BELIEVED THE SAME MESSAGE that she was told from the spies. They had to believe that Joshua was coming and would spare them, but destroy the city. Is this not the same as when we get saved? We are burdened for our family. We can't save them, or bring them in,  but we can tell them the Gospel that Jesus is coming, and He will save us from the destruction, if we BELIEVE! They saw the change in Rahab and believed as well, for in chapter 6:23 it says all of her family were brought out as well. If we live a sanctified Christian life before our lost family members, and they see the change the Lord has wrought in us, they are more likely to listen to the message as they did Rahab. She had been saved, but asked for a "true token" vs.12, to seal it, or for assurance. 

 This token was the SCARLET THREAD, OR CORD that she would use to let the spies escape by through her window. They went out of her window, down the wall on the outside to escape. Verse 18 says they told her to put this same thread in the window so that it would signal to all of Israel that this was the house that would not perish. All of the Israelites would know its meaning, even if Joshua had not told them to spare her.(Josh. 6:17). They had done the same thing with the blood of the Passover Lamb in Egypt, (Ex. 12:13). This scarlet cord stood for the saving BLOOD OF THE LAMB!

 

The SUMMONS from the king produced Rahab's STAND. She told a STORY, but in spite of it, the Lord gave SOLACE. Her SALVATION was proclaimed through her SAVIOUR! A SCARLET THREAD was given as THE SEAL! Tomorrow will be the conclusion of Operation Scarlet Harlot!

 

 

Operation Scarlet Harlot

 

We just had our Ladies Day at our church and the theme was Mission: Possible! I was asked to speak at it, thus the name of this post. This account in the book of Joshua, chapters 2 &6, was the story of the sparing of Rahab, a harlot in Jericho. I pray it is a blessing to you, as it was to me studying for it! Soooo much is in this portion of scripture and I really learned a lot!

 

First, there were two Spies. These spies were sent out to view the Spoil, or the city of Jericho. They had already been promised by God that they would take the entire city, and everything therein. They were to take everything from the city, keeping the silver, gold, etc. for the House of The Lord. Then, they were to burn the city. (Joshua 6:2 &24.) Joshua is a type of the the Lord Jesus, his name meaning Jesus, or Saviour. Just as he sent out two spies into the worldly city, Jesus sends us out in twos as well. (Mark 6:7) We are to go out into the world with the Gospel, seeking out Jesus' precious jewels, or His Spoil. (Malachi 3:17).

Then, there was a Sinner.   When these two spies entered the city, they came to a harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. It was NOT by chance that they entered her home. She lived upon the wall of Jericho (Josh. 2:15), and would have been on the outskirts of the city. It would have been one of the first homes they saw as they entered. I believe the spies chose her house because this should have been the LAST PLACE they should be according to Jewish LAW. They would have been considered unclean (Lev. 19:29.)The enemy knew their ways, so they wouldn't have expected them to be there. But, greater than this reason, it was by divine appointment. Rahab was the Sinner in need of Salvation. She had heard of the LORD (vs. 9-11), and all of the wonders and miracles He had worked for the children of Israel. No doubt this information came from the visitors that frequented her home, as there were no newspapers or internet in her day. When she HEARD this, her heart melted and she was afraid. (vs.11). She had a tender heart to what the Lord had done, and believed that He had given Israel their city as well. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.  She knew that when they attacked, she would be doomed with the city and would be the first one to go, living on the wall! She definitely knew and believed she was the sinner nearest  Hell. The Lord knew this and is why He sent the spies to her home.  This was Rahab's only shot of being saved, and she took it! How many times did the Lord present us with the chance to be saved, and we rejected it? Thank God for His Grace in that He have us more than one opportunity! But, where there is a Sinner, there is a Saviour!  Rahab confessed her faith in the one true God, Jehovah, denoted by all capital letters in vs 9. Verse 11 is her profession of faith in Him-"..for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."

Anytime there is a sinner saved, Satan is not happy. If he can't hinder their salvation, he will try to bring them harm, or remove them out of his way! So, in this case, there was a Snitch! Where there is a Snitch, there is a Secret. Chapter 2:2&3 says that somehow the King of Jericho found out about the spies. He knew they had entered the city to secretly search it out, despite their careful choice of a hiding place. Eccel. 10:20 says, "..for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hat wings shall tell the matter." This is where we get the phrase "a little birdie told me." In the Bible when a bird is mentioned, it is a type of Satan or his messenger, except for the dove. Satan will always have his messenger to try to foil God's plans.

 

Operation Scarlet Harlot started out with Spies to view the Spoil. They were sent to a Sinner in need of a Saviour. A Snitch told the Secret. Tomorrow we'll look at the Middle of the Mission! (Don't worry, this blog won't self-destruct before then! ;)