Day 60 or March the 1st. You don't have to be
perfect for God to use you. Our thought today
is from Joshua chapter 2 verse 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. Now the
big picture surrounding this verse. Joshua, who
was one of the faithful spies who explored the
promised land when Moses led the people, is now
the leader, and knows he has enormous sandals
to fill. With the blessing of Moses just before
he died, Joshua is now commissioned by God to
take possession of the land promised to the Israelites'
founder Abraham so long ago. From the east side
of the Jordan River, they cross in miraculous
fashion. When the river is at full flow, it amazingly
stops miles upstream at a place called Adam.
Isn't it ironic that the water stops at Adam?
Two spies, with the help of the Canaanite woman
Rahab, carry out a preliminary survey of the
city of Jericho. Then the Israelites cross, led
by the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
At God's command, A memorial of twelve stones
is built to remind everyone. Now today's action
step. Rahab was an amazing woman about whom we
know very little, but what we do know is rather
mixed. She was a prostitute who helped the two
spies. She lied to the authorities for them and
gave them hospitality. Then she asked them to
return the favour by protecting her whole family
when her fellow inhabitants of Jericho were wiped
out. She was certainly useful to God, but she
was far from perfect. She became one of only
four named female ancestors of Jesus in Matthew's
genealogy, Matthew 1 .5. A timely reminder that
we do not need to be perfect for God to use us.
Of course, this doesn't mean we can flout God's
law as long as we do His will. God used Rahab
despite her sins, not because of them. If, like
me, you are far from perfect, rejoice that God
still has a call for you. Do you know what yours
is yet?