The View

I recently finished teaching a series of lessons to my ladies Sunday School class about the prostitute Rahab from the book of Joshua, who trusted in the God of the Israelites. Rahab’s story is fascinating, with her occupation, hiding Israelite spies, trusting that they and their God would protect her, putting that scarlet cord out her window on the wall of Jericho, and of course being in the lineage of the Lord Jesus.

Something that really tickled me to think about was what her view was like while she waited for that Israelite army to come attack Jericho. She didn’t know God’s plan or instructions to their leader Joshua. She had to just wait and watch out the window that had the scarlet cord hanging out it, which was visible to whoever approached.

Then when the army arrives, rather than attack, they march by that window blowing trumpets, one time per day for 6 days. I imagine her wondering “WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?” She had her loved ones hiding there in her home as well, hoping that they would be spared, and the conversations must have been filled with fear, awe, and maybe some hilarious commentary. “There they go again!” “What is with those trumpet players!”  

Rahab couldn’t see the past or the future of that odd army, but just the few moments as they would pass by her window. Nothing was happening that seemed to make a difference at all in those present moments.

It occurs to me that I only see this little window moment of my life. I can stick my head out the window and hear the echoes of memories of those past trumpet highs and life marched on lows. I may suspect that there must have been some sort of purpose and plan in what has gone before. But I can’t see what happens around the next corner, and I don’t know what I should spend my time doing in the NOW to prepare for it. 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (New King James Version)

The best part of the Rahab account is that GOD saw the whole big plan and picture. The spies end up at the house of a prostitute sinner, but she has put her trust in the one true God as opposed to all the fake pagan gods of her people. He makes the walls fall down on the 7th day with 7 trips around the city of the marching parade. He delivers her and gives her a whole new life with His people. All because He has a plan that through her line, Jesus will come to deliver the worst of sinners by grace through faith.

Scripture is rich with testimonies of flawed people, being seen by a loving God that chose to do something very cool with their lives. Things beyond what they could ever imagine. I mean, there is no way that Rahab could have imagined any of hers!

I had no idea, flawed and foolish thing that I have been, that I would be a pastor’s wife, that I would have had 4 kids and home-schooled them, that I would illustrate 87 children’s books, and then the writing, and teaching in women’s ministries… “WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?” I have admit, at this minute, looking back, and looking out the window at the view now… I feel very, very blessed. Thankful. And even if around the corner, the walls fall down around me, that scarlet cord  which represents the blood of Jesus is powerful to deliver.  

“Look, I go forward, but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;

When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.

But He knows the way that I take;

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:9&10