MONDAY, OCTOBER 24

Fearless

READ:

Joshua 2:1-24

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror” (v.9).

With her heart pounding, she leaned her back against the door. Her thoughts reeled as she thought through her next move. Accustomed to seeing men enter her doorway covertly, she wasn’t surprised by the stealthy moves of her two visitors (Joshua 2:1). After all, she was Rahab, a prostitute. But when the two men crossed the threshold of her home, their imposing figures indicated they were not there for business as usual. She now found herself face to face with two men of an altogether different kind.     

That night when Rahab encountered the two Israelite spies, 40 years had passed since God’s miraculous deliverance of His people from Egypt. He’d intended for the testimonies to live from generation to generation among His people (Psalm 78:4), but, ironically, their enemies had retold the stories as well (Joshua 2:9-10). Although the unbelief of God’s own children had required His patience as He awaited the readiness of the next generation (Psalm 78:11-12), the people of Jericho didn’t have to be convinced of the greatness of God (Joshua 2:10-11).

We weren’t created to be a people who cower in the corner, simply hoping to hold out until we’re in Jesus’ presence. We were made to be more than conquerors through salvation in Him, and we’re now sons and daughters of almighty God (Romans 8:14-16,33-39). We won’t walk in the fullness of our identity, however, if we define ourselves by human opinions (even our own) or confine our vision to simply the physical world. Instead, we’re called to declare this truth from God: “My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when [My children] came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid” (Haggai 2:5). Fear melts before God’s love and power! —Regina Franklin   

MORE:

Read Joshua 1:7-16 and consider what it means for you to trust God to lead you to a “promised land.”

NEXT:

How do you typically respond when you can’t see a ready answer to the difficulties you’re facing? How can you learn to trust God more deeply and follow Him more courageously? 

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