Always Pay Attention
something someone tells you may change your whole life…
'Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” ' Joshua 2:8-14
there was a time in my life that i didn’t care what others had to say. so caught up in my own self - desires, wants, needs that even if you had something important for me to pay attention to, i just tuned you out. while i wasn’t flat our rude that i walked away while they were speaking, i may have heard what you were trying to tell me, just definitely wasn’t listening though.
in this passage it speaks volumes of how powerful the testimony of what God had done for those who truly seek, follow, and obey Him. rahab did pay attention and took to heart what was said of the God of heaven and earth, the very One that was with joshua and his men. this is a reverent fear, the type that recognizes the Power and Authority that only He has and is the beginning of our faith, our walk with The Lord, and wisdom comes of it.
with helping the two men escape being captured, the promise made to her was that her family would be saved when they came back to destroy the town and its people. she simply needed to follow what was said and not to forget doing so.
similarly to those who have heard the Word of God (Book of the Law - Old Testament), or the Gospel, i hope all who we interact with will have their lives forever changed like rahab and her family were. i would like for us to be used for Kingdom purposes like joshua, that by hearing of what God has and is doing in our lives others would want to seek Him - ultimately that we can share Jesus and that through Him they, too, will be saved.
dear Heavenly Father, teach us to be faithful servants like joshua. that those who come into our lives will hear of who your Son, Jesus, is and want to follow Him too. help us to always have an answer for the hope that we have. glory, honor, and praise to you O Lord. in Jesus’ Holy and Precious Name i pray, amen!