God’s blessings
Joshua 6:25, “But Joshua let Rahab the harlot live – Rahab and her father’s household and everyone connected to her. She is still alive and well in Israel because she hid the agents whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”-The Message
I generally use verses from the New American Standard version of the Bible, but today I’m using the modern paraphrase the Message. I appreciate the way the Message shows this. A few days ago I talked about Rahab, the harlot, and how she protected the Israeli spies when they came into Jericho, and she was guaranteed that if she would follow their instructions that she and everyone in her house would be saved when the Israelites invaded Jericho.
Today’s verse tells us that Joshua, who had been informed of the heroic acts of Rahab, let her and her family live through the destruction of Jericho. We are also told that Rahab and her family were allowed to live and prosper in Israel even though they were “outsiders”. They were at one time enemies of Israel, but because of her faithfulness to protect God’s people their situation changed from that of certain destruction to being protected by the Israelites.
When David was on the run from King Saul, hr faced a similar situation, not once but twice. In one instance Saul came into a cave where David and his men were, to relive himself, and it would have been easy for David to kill him right there; and assume control over Israel. In the other situation Saul once again came into a cave to get some much-needed rest. Once again David did not harm him because as he said it was not his place to touch God’ anointed. I Samuel 24
Rahab knew, as David did, that if she protected God’s chosen that she would receive God’s protection.
There are times when we receive a messenger from God in our lives, and even though we may be unaware that they are sent by God we will be blessed by God if we protect and encourage them. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs talks about how we see people in need all around us, and many times we turn away when these people could be servants of God, and we miss the blessings of God because of our refusal to help. I hope that the next time you have the opportunity to help someone in God’s name that you take it because you will receive a blessing, and you may unknowingly be assisting one of God’s chosen!
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Father God, I thank You for blessing me through Your Son, and I ask that You would encourage me to bless others in Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Yes, You Can Ministry 