When I Can’t See God - Encouragement for Today - September 25, 2017
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September 25, 2017 |
“So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.’ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them.” Joshua 2:3-4a (NIV)
I just couldn’t understand the struggle my daughter was having with learning to read. I tried everything … at least it felt like I had. All those different programs: Didn’t one of them have to work? Each time I changed her curriculum, the more frustrated I became, and the more Madi suffered.
I felt like a failure. What was I doing wrong? God, where are You? Why aren’t You helping us?
Each day, as we pulled out her lessons, we both needed a new strength, a new hope … a fresh confidence to move forward.
Does a time come to mind when you weren’t sure what your next steps should be, and God didn’t seem to be saying very much about it? Every day, you had to hang on to your confidence, even when you didn’t feel confident you knew what was going on?
When I look at Rahab from the Old Testament, I see a woman desperate for God — a God she’d heard was powerful. All of Jericho feared this God as the one who dried up the Red Sea and empowered Israel to conquer nations.
Rahab knew this God was making a move on Jericho, and when He did, she wanted to be on the right side. But would this God want her on His side?
How do you follow God when you can’t hear or see Him? How do you seek Him when the boost you need — to know He’s helping you — doesn’t come?
In times like these, my confidence is a little wobbly. When I don’t know if I should move, it’s awfully hard to make a move.
Rahab was moving in unfamiliar directions: Holy men in her home, hiding spies, following a God she couldn’t see, and depending on God rather than herself to meet her needs.
As her story unfolded, these were all things Rahab had never done before. I think she knew, deep in her heart, she was made for more than the life she was living, and she was ready to act on faith.
“So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.’ But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them” (Joshua 2:3-4a).
Rahab took a brave step in hiding the Israelite spies, but, she didn’t experience immediate benefits. In fact, hiding the spies got her in trouble with the king! What she received was another opportunity to obey. She helped the spies slip out of her house and safely back to their camp.
Rahab might not have been aware she was trusting and obeying God, but that’s exactly what she did. (Read more in Joshua 2.)
Each day, Rahab had another opportunity to obey and another chance to gain fresh confidence from God as she chose to leave the scarlet cord, the sign the spies had chosen to keep her family safe, in the window. Seeing it hanging, day after day — this symbol of her new allegiance — provided plenty of opportunity for doubt to slip in. What am I doing? I don’t even know these people. A scarlet cord? Couldn’t they have picked something less obvious? I imagine the uncertainty was uncomfortable and scary.
Rahab had to put down doubt so she could pick up fresh faith.
That is what we must do each day, friends: Let’s put down courage-crushing thoughts, and pick up Christ’s confidence. We may not be hiding God’s spies, but we’re surrounded by equally valuable resources.
Each day when you pray for that child, but see no change, you’re keeping the cord in the window. Each time you take your kids to church while your spouse stays at home, you’re keeping the cord in the window. With every right choice, you’re living the belief you will see God’s faithfulness.
Lord, I can’t always see what You’re doing, but I trust that as I live out Your Word each day, it will make all of the difference in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Joshua 6:17, “The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.” (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Lynn Cowell’s newest book, Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You, builds a foundation for girls ages 8-12 to be brave and trust God. Click here to order your copy.
CONNECT:
Visit Lynn’s blog today where she is sharing her upcoming women’s Bible study, Make Your Move: Finding Unshakeable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures. Get a free download there as well!
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Take a moment and shut your eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit: What is my right move, my step of faith taken in Your confidence? Ask Him to empower you.
© 2017 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
