Spurgeon: April AM
* 04/18/AM
"She bound the scarlet line in the window."
--Joshua 2:21
Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the
spies, whom she looked upon as the representatives of the God of
Israel. Her faith was simple and firm, but it was very obedient.
To tie the scarlet line in the window was a very trivial act in
itself, but she dared not run the risk of omitting it. Come, my
soul, is there not here a lesson for thee? Hast thou been
attentive to all thy Lord's will, even though some of His
commands should seem non-essential? Hast thou observed in his
own way the two ordinances of believers' baptism and the Lord's
Supper? These neglected, argue much unloving disobedience in thy
heart. Be henceforth in all things blameless, even to the tying
of a thread, if that be matter of command.
This act of Rahab sets forth a yet more solemn lesson. Have
I implicitly trusted in the precious blood of Jesus? Have I
tied the scarlet cord, as with a Gordian knot in my window, so
that my trust can never be removed? Or can I look out towards
the Dead Sea of my sins, or the Jerusalem of my hopes, without
seeing the blood, and seeing all things in connection with its
blessed power? The passer-by can see a cord of so conspicuous a
colour, if it hangs from the window: it will be well for me if
my life makes the efficacy of the atonement conspicuous to all
onlookers. What is there to be ashamed of? Let men or devils
gaze if they will, the blood is my boast and my song. My soul,
there is One who will see that scarlet line, even when from
weakness of faith thou canst not see it thyself; Jehovah, the
Avenger, will see it and pass over thee. Jericho's walls fell
flat: Rahab's house was on the wall, and yet it stood unmoved;
my nature is built into the wall of humanity, and yet when
destruction smites the race, I shall be secure. My soul, tie the
scarlet thread in the window afresh, and rest in peace.