Day 22
Keep a Hope-Filled Focus – Rahab
by Ann White
A woman with a shameful past, Rahab could have let that past stand in the way of her taking courageous action. In today’s devotional, discover how you can choose a hopeful, positive perspective so you can live a courageous life.
“Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. ‘I know the Lord has given you this land,’ she told them. ‘We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt… For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.’” (Joshua 2:8–11)
Pray: Lord, teach me from your Word and help me walk in your ways.
Observe: How often do you consciously consider your focus? We’re each given the opportunity to choose either a positive or negative perspective toward each situation we face. We’re all given the free will to pursue God’s will and ways—or our own dreams and desires.
In the second chapter of Joshua, we meet a courageous woman named Rahab—a woman who is recognized in the Book of Hebrews as a woman of great faith (11:31). Rahab was a woman with a shameful past (Joshua 2:1) who could’ve hidden in fear or betrayed Joshua’s men. Yet she believed in God, chose obedience to him, protected the Israelites, and is included in the lineage of Christ; she became the great-great-grandmother of King David (Matthew 1:5-6).
In learning to keep a hope-filled focus, it is critical we keep our eyes on Christ. Unless we trust God completely and pursue his will and ways faithfully, we will be forever vulnerable to our inner accuser who anxiously waits to bury us in fear. When we direct our attention toward God, he gives us courage and confidence for our life journeys.
Keep hope-filled courage by adopting the following practices:
- Be faithful in your daily prayer life.
- Each day, think of ten things you’re thankful for and make them your focus.
- Memorize Bible verses that encourage you.
- Seek godly counsel for inspiration, wisdom, and guidance.
Interpret: Rahab fixed her eyes on loyalty to the one true God. We are strong and courageous when we fix our eyes on Christ and make him the focus of our decisions and directions.
Apply: Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of this world (Colossians 3:2) by memorizing Scripture. Take a significant step today by asking God to reveal his will for your life and take at least one significant step toward obeying God’s calling.
Pray: Father, help me to tune out the inner voices that keep me steeped in fear and selfishness. Allow me to see life through your lens, where my hope is restored and your help is always near.