8Before the spies lay down fo...

8Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof

9and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.

10We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

11When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

- P70

12"Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

- P71

13that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death."

14"Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."

- P71

Rahab tells the spies she knows the Lord has given them the land. She tellsthem that Jericho has heard how God dried up the Red Sea and how Israeldefeated two Amorite kings, and everyone is afraid. In return for helping them,
Rahab asks the spies to spare her and her family. The spies promise to do so. - P71

Rahab tells the spies that news has already reached Jericho of how God defeated the Egyptians and the Amorites before the Israelites and fear has seized the city. But while the rest of Jericho remains in their fear, Rahab chooses to place her trust in the God of Israel. - P72

She realizes that if the Almighty God becomes her God, she has no reason to fear. - P72

As the church, our calling is to show the world what it looks like to be led by a faithful God. As we live this out, the news of God’s power and His goodness toward us will spread. - P72

Our hope is that others, like Rahab, will let down their defenses and come to trust in Him for themselves. - P72

Rahab asks the spies to show the same kindness she showed them by spar-ing her and her family when the city is taken. The spies promise her thatas long as she keeps their secret, neither she nor her family has anythingto fear. Rahab takes a risk by trusting the spies to return her kindness.  - P72

Sheplaces her trust not only in them, but ultimately in the faithful character oftheir God. In a world where kindness feels risky and uncertain, Scriptureassures us that God sees and honors acts of faith and compassion.  - P72

Christshowed us kindness by rescuing us from condemnation when we were yetHis enemies. Let us follow His example by being eager to show kindness toothers whenever we have the opportunity.
us - P72

Dear God, thank you for the goodness and mercy You have shown Your people. Help me not to take Your kindness for granted and lead me in showing the same kindness to others. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P73

Our passage reveals that there are people who have heard glimpses of God‘s savingacts and long to live under His blessing. Let us read the Mission Frontier articleand pray for the missionaries we know, asking that they be fully used by God inHis purpose. - P73

1Then Joshua son of Nun secre...

1Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. - P66

3So 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."

4But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. - P66

6(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)

7So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

- P67

Joshua sends two spies from Shittim to explore Jericho. The spies enter thehouse of Rahab, a prostitute, and stay there. The king of Jericho hears aboutit and orders Rahab to bring them out. Instead, she hides them under stalksof flax on her roof, sending the pursuers on a false trail toward the fords ofthe Jordan River. - P67

Joshua sends two spies into the promised land and instructs them to pay close attention to Jericho in particular. The spies enter the house of a prostitute called Rahab, but the king of Jericho hears of it and commands Rahab to bring them out. In this battle of espionage and counterespionage, this woman on the margins of society suddenly plays a pivotal role that will bring about victory for the Israelites and salvation for herself and her family. - P68

When we look at history, we often focus on powerful leaders and world-shaping events. But God often works through individuals the world overlooks. And unlike the maneuvers of the world, in which people are only pawns in a game of chess, God pursues hearts and redeems souls as He accomplishes His plans. - P68

When the king of Jericho commands Rahab to bring out the Israelite spies,
Rahab chooses to hide them and mislead the authorities of Jericho. We willsee later in the book of Joshua that she had learned of God‘s mighty worksand believed that He was sovereign even over the authorities of Jericho.  - P68

So,
although she was a citizen of Jericho, she cast her lot with the Israelites. Aswith Rahab, God placed us as citizens of earthly nations so that we may be ablessing to others.  - P68

But we must always remember our ultimate citizenship isin heaven. Should God‘s will ever conflict with the demands of our society,
may we have the courage to remain obedient to our Lord. - P68

But when we take a closer look at Scripture, we begin to notice the "small-er" people like Rahab who had neither status nor power yet were honored,
named, and remembered as God‘s faithful servants. The Bible is not simplya book about great leaders but the story of ordinary people who sought arelationship with God. And the One Scripture is ultimately about, JesusHimself, changed the world not by ascending to an earthly throne, but bybeing mocked as "King of the Jews" as He hung on the cross.
- P69

Whether we are in leadership or in lowly places, we are eachnecessary in God‘s story and He is present with every one of us. - P69

Dear God, thank you for placing me in the right time and place to do Your will in my community and be a blessing to those around me. - P69

When other things compete for my heart’s allegiance, remind me that my life is Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P69

11˝Go through the camp and te...

11"Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’" - P62

16Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

17Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.

18Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!" - P63

Joshua orders the officers to tell the people to prepare to cross the Jordan inthree days. He reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manassehof their promise to help the other tribes until the land is secured. They affirmtheir loyalty to Joshua, promising obedience and encouraging him to bestrong and courageous as he leads. - P63

Joshua commands the leaders under him to prepare what is needed before the people cross the Jordan, reminding them that the land they are crossing into is given to them by God. This command conveys both a sense of urgency to accomplish the mission God has given and a sense of rest in the assurance of God’s promise. - P64

As we live in accordance with God’s Word, we too should carry a sense of eagerness to do all that God desires us to do. We also find rest as we obey God because He Himself empowers us to do what He commands. - P64

Let us lean on the empowering presence of Christ: In Him we will find the strength to do what God commands. - P64

Joshua gives a command to the leaders of the tribes that will settle beyondthe Jordan: Their troops are to fight alongside the rest of the nation. Then,
they may return to their land. The leaders promise to obey, respondingwith submission, allegiance, and words of encouragement.  - P64

As Christianstoday, we are to display submission toward our leaders and even towardour peers.  - P64

In the epistles, we are commanded to submit to one anotherout of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21). We are also commanded to speakencouragement to one another (Eph. 5:19).  - P64

In our relationships-withour parents, pastors, employers, or friends-let us seek to serve others andencouragethem to faithfulness.
- P64

Dear heavenly Father, You are the place of my rest, whether the day brings joy and excitement or stress and fatigue. As I rest in You, fuel my soul with willingness and perseverance to obey Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P65

These words were spoken in a military context, but the building blocks oftrust are the same in our personal relationships. Our positions of leadershipor influence are just as many opportunities to practice selflessness and buildtrust as we relate to one another: between husbands and wives, betweenparentsand children, between friends. This is how Jesus Christ led duringHis earthly ministry. And even today, He leads His bride, the church, bycaring for her, purifying her, and providing for her. Let us therefore trustHim and follow His example. - P65

3I will give you every place ...

3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

4Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

- P58

5No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

6Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

- P59

8this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

- P59

Dear Jesus, thank you for being with us.  - P61

Continue to work in the soil of ourhearts so that the seed of Your Word may take root and grow, flourishing forYour kingdom. In Your name, amen. - P61

16At my first defense, no one...

16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

- P52

18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - P53

Paul asks Timothy to come to him quickly, mentioning former companionswho deserted him and the people who are still with him. He asks Timothy tobring Mark with him as well as some personal items. He then recounts thatno one came to his support at his first defense but the Lord stood by him. Hecloses with greetings and blessings. - P53

Paul talks about people like Luke and Mark who have been beneficial to his ministry, but he also mentions Demas who deserted him and Alexander who did him a great deal of harm. Because Paul knows that Alexander wants to stop the advance of the gospel, he warns Timothy to also be on his guard as he ministers. - P54

In our own lives, we may come across people like Alexander who are determined to hinder the work of the gospel. When we face such opposition, we should not take it lightly. - P54

We should be on our guard, prepared to give a defense of the gospel and ready to proclaim the reason for the hope that we have. - P54

At the beginning of Paul‘s imprisonment, no one was brave enough to standalongside him to defend his actions. Yet, Paul felt that the Lord stood byhis side and gave him the strength to continue to proclaim the message ofthe gospel to the Gentiles. He was able to avoid execution at the time, buteven as he anticipates death, Paul is assured that God is with him and willbring him safely into His heavenly kingdom. . - P54

Even when we may not feelthat God is near, we can be assured of His presence. He loves us and willnever abandon His people. We can ask for a greater sense of God‘s presencein our lives as we draw closer in communion with Him - P54

Lord, thank you that You are always with me. When I face those who oppose the gospel, strengthen me to persevere and proclaim Your message so that all may hear and believe. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P54

Prayer Journl
God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting andtraining in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:16 - P55

After Moses‘ death, the Lord commissions Joshua to lead the people of Israelacross the Jordan into the promised land. God promises to give them everyplace they set foot on and guarantees His presence with them. He commandsJoshua to be strong, courageous, and careful to obey the Law, meditating onit day and night - P59

After the death of Moses, God calls upon Joshua to lead His people intothe promised land. God is faithful to His promises. He promised Mosesthat He would lead His people into Canaan and He keeps His promise toMoses through Joshua.  - P60

Likewise, God has promised eternal life to thosewho believe in the One He sent and He keeps this promise through JesusChrist. However, being the recipient of God‘s calling and promise doesnot shield us from difficult times. God repeatedly commands Joshua to bestrong and courageous. This is not just because maintaining a strong andcourageous character is beneficial; this repeated command implies that greatstruggles lie ahead and overcoming them will require strength and courage.
- P60

When we anticipate trials, we can ask God to take themaway but we canalso ask Him for the strength to persevere through them without giving into fear or discouragement. - P60