March 2 - Nº 61 Joshua 1:1 – 3:8
“I will never leave you nor forsake you,” God told Joshua as he became the new leader of the Israelite nation. “So be strong and full of courage. Obey all the instructions that I have given to Moses. Keep them constantly on your heart and in your mind. Don’t turn away from any of them. Then you will prosper and be successful.” Joshua sent two men across the Jordan River to spy out the land they were about to enter. He especially wanted inside information about the city they would encounter first. It was called Jericho. The spies entered the city and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab. It was probably an inn built into the outer wall of the city. The king of Jericho heard that the Israelite spies were there and sent messengers to Rahab saying: “Bring out the men who are in your house. They are spies.” But Rahab had hidden them on her roof under stalks of flax that she had laid out to dry. She told the king’s messengers, “Yes, those men did come here, but they left before the city gates were closed. I have no idea where they went. If you hurry, you might be able to catch them!” The messengers left quickly to pursue the spies. That night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk to the spies. “I know that your God has given you this land,” she said. “Everyone here is afraid of you. We have all heard of the miracles He performed when He led you out of Egypt and took you across the Red Sea. And we know how He has helped you win many battles. Your God must be the one true God of heaven and earth! And, since I protected you, please swear to me by your God that you will save my family.” The spies promised Rahab that her family would be safe as long as they gathered inside her house. She could not tell anyone about their plans, and she needed to hang a scarlet cord from her window so they could tell which one was hers. When it was dark, Rahab helped the spies climb out her window, down a rope, and over the wall. She suggested they hide in the hills for three days before sneaking back across the Jordan River to the Israelite camp. As soon as they left, she attached a scarlet cord to her window. When it was safe, the spies returned to Joshua and reported everything that had happened. They said, “It is true—God really is going to give us this whole land. The people are melting in fear because of us!” Joshua then led the Israelites to the banks of the Jordan River where they camped and waited for three days. On the third day, the officers gave the people this order: “When you see the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, you are to break camp. Follow the Ark. It will show you where to go.” Then Joshua added, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things!”
Do you ever feel that your life is too messed up for God to use you? All through the Bible we find broken people (like Rahab) whom God used to accomplish His purposes. Once we recognize who He is and accept His forgiveness, there is no limit to what He can do through us! We won’t do everything perfectly at first, but God is patient.
