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Friday, November 11, 2005

"The Scarlet Cord"

"And she tied the scarlet cord in the window" (Joshua 2:21b).

I want to especially consider those that feel that they may have no hope as I write this message.  Among the saddest of human conditions is the sense of having no hope.

Rahab is introduced into the Scriptural record as a prostitute (Joshua 2:1) and both biographical references to her in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25) forthrightly remind the reader that she was a prostitute. She was also a resident of doomed Jericho so what kind of hope did she have?

But providentially she was a part of God's plan and provided the means of deliverance for the two spies whom Joshua had sent to look over the land.  In recognizing the spies she acknowledged their God with a powerful statement of faith when she declared "the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). In exchange for providing protection for the spies she pleaded with them for the salvation of her family. They promised her, "We will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."

But there was a condition. She was to tie the scarlet cord in the window.  The scarlet cord for Rahab was a practical sign of her faith and obedience and perhaps also identified her location at the time of the conquest so that she and her family might be saved. It is also a symbol of grace, for it certainly had absolutely no capabilities of saving her or her family from the destruction that befell Jericho. As early as the first century, commentators saw this scarlet cord as a symbol of the blood of Jesus.

Our spiritual "scarlet cord" is the wonderful grace of Jesus.  "In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7,8).

Our salvation is a matter of grace from start to finish. Rahab had no rights to God's favor and neither do we.  But through the scarlet cord of redemption through faith we can also be in God's family. Now that's a hope we all need today and in spite of all the other issues we are dealing with it can provide us an assurance concerning that which matters most. Trust the Lord today!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, when I consider the scarlet cord being the lifeline for Rahab I also think of the umbilical cord in the life of a baby.  In Your marvelous creation of new life You made the umbilical cord to be an unborn baby's lifeline that delivers the nutrients and oxygen needed for normal development through its life-giving mother.  My redemptive lifeline is the transmission of Your pure, scarlet blood so that I could receive absolute forgiveness for my transgressions. You forgive so completely that even the vilest offender who truly believes that very moment from You receives forgiveness.  May I never be drawn to any other temporal lifeline but only the eternal redemptive lifeline of Your scarlet blood that saves unto the uttermost.   

In preparing the message today I recall a great old hymn that some of you have probably heard. I first recall hearing this hymn in a large men's seminar and it was sung without instrumentation. Here's a sample provided by a southern church.  How wonderful when churches have a vision to share their ministry over the internet.

Personal note – Today's message is prepared and sent out much earlier than usual. Today I am assisting at a training session sponsored by a group I am in dealing with "Business by the Book."  Let me also share a brief update concerning my Mom's condition. She remains very weak and tired as she slowly recovers from the Shingles. In some areas though we see some improvement but it just seems it's one thing after another for her. Last night I prayed with her and committed her to God's care and that she would have internal peace and assurance of God's love and care through this. We are so thankful for the support from our neighbors and church friends. One of the issues the doctor stresses is keeping her moving so she regains her strength, which has included brief walks outside.
A walk with Mom

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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