“Karen’s Notes!
“Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 4 Number 22 “When We Face the Impossible, Expect the Incredible!”

June 2nd, 2021

Way back in 2013 I preached a series of messages at the Abbe Road Baptist Church of Elyria on the lessons learned from the account of Joshua. Karen took God’s Word to heart and did further study and journaling about some of the life principles. She was especially struck with the account of Rahab and the city of Jericho found in Joshua chapters two and six.

The testimony of Rahab was quite astounding. She said, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when you came out of Egypt…And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, He is God in Heaven above and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token. And the men said unto her…Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window…” (Joshua 2:9-12, 18).

Let me lift just a very small portion from Karen’s Bible study journal and share it with you as she left Joshua 2 and moved then to Joshua 6 where the battle of Jericho takes place.

Karen wrote: God’s work, done in God’s way always results in God’s blessings. The sight must have been incredible as the children of Israel marched against Jericho that day. Rahab’s family were huddled behind the scarlet thread, or cord, hanging from the window.

The army was marching. “They compassed the city seven times” (Joshua 6:15).
The shofars were blowing. “The priests blew with the trumpets” (Joshua 6:16a).
The soldiers were shouting. “So the people shouted” (Joshua 6:20a).
The walls were collapsing. “The wall fell flat” (Joshua 6:20b).
The city was burning. “And they burnt the city with fire” (Joshua 6:24).

But!

Rahab and her family were being evacuated. “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwells in Israel even unto this day” (Joshua 6:25). There was only one way for her family to be saved. She had to trust in God’s way. Likewise, for me, Jesus is the scarlet cord. I am trusting Him alone to be my Savior.

Michael’s observation: Wouldn’t it have been tragic if Rahab’s family rejected God’s one and only way for them to be delivered? How marvelous that Rahab’s family believed God’s simple instructions and trusted Him. Frankly, aren’t you just more than a little impressed with the faith Rahab had in the One true and living God?! I am so thrilled for the assurance He offers when we trust in His Son because of what the Lord Jesus accomplished on the cross and empty tomb on our behalf.