The Scarlet Cord

In the book of Joshua, we read about a very insignificant person with a very bad background. But, she along with her family were the only ones who were saved from the destruction of Jericho. Yes I am talking about the prostitute Rahab.

We read in the book of Joshua second chapter, that two men were sent to spy the city of Jericho before the Israelites could attack and take it. The two men went into the house of Rahab, the prostitute and stayed there. We are not told why they went into her house when there were many other places where they could have got much more information about the city.

I believe it is the soverign plan of God to associate Himself with the downtrodden people of the society which was further confirmed by the action of Jesus who associated Himself with the sinners. Going back to the story, the king of Jericho came to know about the spies staying at Rahab's house and he sent people to search them. By the divine act of God Rahab chose to protect the spies and she hid them in her house and later helped them to escape. We can read a detailed account of this from Joshua chapter 2 onwards.

Now, she was very clever and believed that God had the power to destroy the city of Jericho. She wanted to live a brand new life. She struck a deal with the spies to protect herself and her family when the city was destroyed. This shows that she was selfless and wanted to protect her family also. The men asked her to tie a Scarlet cord in her house and during the time of the destruction, on account of the cord, she and her family would be saved and in fact they were spared from destruction.

This was very similar to the passover during which the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb on their door posts. The scarlet cord and blood of the lamb refer to Jesus Christ, who later shed His precious blood on the cross to save you and me who are even worse than Rahab.

Rahab accepted the offer and clung onto the Scarlet cord and was saved. Today, God is offering the same cord through Jesus. All we need to do is to cling on to Him to escape the eternal destruction and inherit eternal life along with our families and friends. Are you ready?.

Challenges and their importance

Challenges are always seen in a negative way by most of the people. On the contrary challenges always helps us in a number of ways. A life without challenges will not be enjoyable but rather boring.

As Christians, we are encouraged to take up challenges in life. In the Bible, all the successful people have taken up many challenges. Take the case of Moses, Abraham, Noah, David, Solomon and Daniel to mention a few. The list does not end there. Refer to Hebrews chapter 11 to see the list of people in the hall of fame.

Apostle Paul was another person who took up many challenges for the cause of Christ. I request you who are reading this to open your Bibles to understand each of these people to see how they used the challenges to benefit the kingdom of God.

Above all, our Lord Jesus was one who was ready to take up the challenges. The very fact that He came into this world to save each one of us by giving up His life and taking it back was the greatest challenge ever taken by someone and it is because He took up that challenge, we are united with God.

In the same way we are expected to take up everything tough situation as a challenge in life and fight it out with the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are struggling with a particular sin, don't get bogged down. Take it as a challenge and overcome with the partnership of God. We are not alone. The most powerful God is with us always. He is true to His promises.

Today, as you are reading this you might be going through some very difficult situation in your life. May be you are going to give up the fight. Don't lose heart. Come to Jesus. He will embrace you and give you the strength to fight and overcome the trials and mould your character. You will become better with every challenge faced. Next time, don't be afraid when you come across a tough situation. Fight it out and be successful.

Be strong and courageous

Joshua 1:9 "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As I was meditating over the first chapter of the book of Joshua, this particular phrase caught my attention. I read further about the context of this phrase, since it occurs four times in the first chapter of Joshua. The phrase occurs in verses 6,7,9 where God speaks to Joshua and in verse 18, the people of Israel say the same phrase to Joshua.


The book of Joshua begins with the note about the death of Moses, the man whom God chose to lead the people of Israel from Egypt into the blessed Caanan. Now there was a huge struggle for power as who will lead the people of Israel after Moses. Joshua was the assistant of Moses, but in the eyes of the people of Israel, Moses seemed to be the only leader that they knew. There was a crisis on who would succeed Moses.

It is in this situation, God spoke with Joshua and encouraged him with the phrase "Be strong and courageous!". God told this three times, and I believe it has great importance because of the repetation. God followed this statement with an advice to obey the instructions of Moses. Combining both these together, we can say that God told Joshua that he can be strong and courageous if he followed the instructions of Moses as it was without turning either to the left or right, and he will be successful in whatever he does.

The first chapter of Joshua ends with verse 18 which states that the people of Israel accepted Joshua as their new leader and they encouraged Joshua saying "Be strong and courageous".

This promise still applies to us even today. The instructions of Moses are replaced by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the new covenent. Today, the entire world is surrounded by fear and uncertainity. People are so confused and anxious. But, as the children of the most High God, it is none other than the same God who encouraged Joshua still encourages us even today with the phrase "Be strong and courageous". How are we going to be strong and courageous?. It is very simple.Read the word of God every day and pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit. If we do this, we can be very strong and courageous.