The Lord makes Himself known. How has the Lord made Himself known to you? How did that begin to change your life? What did that tell you about the Lord’s mercy and plan for your life?
God can use a variety of ways to make Himself known to you. He can use other people, a Gospel tract, Scripture, or dreams and visions. In addition, God continues to reveal Himself in the complexity of life and nature.
While we were on a mission trip in Honduras, people were gathered on the town square to listen to our speaker. The people heard about the power of God through the words of our speaker, and then they witnessed a demonstration of it. A young man had injured his shoulder in a motorcycle accident, and he could not lift his arm above his heard. As we prayed for healing, he was able to gain full use of the arm in front of the whole audience. Many people wanted to follow a powerful God like that and came to faith that night.
Jericho Knows About God
Forty years prior to our story, the nation of Israel was pinned between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. God miraculously parted the sea which allowed the people of Israel to escape and killed the Egyptian army as the waters flowed back. This miracle was not just for Israel but also demonstrated to the nations the power of God. God’s desire then and now, was to have unbelievers repent, and turn and follow Him.
Joshua 2:8 Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. 9 “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. 10 For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt.[1]
Numbers are significant in Scripture and forty is a time of testing. God had given Jericho forty years to repent and turn to Him. Rahab knew of this great miracle and God used it to draw her to faith. The others in Jericho had the same chance but seem to have refused it.
The Lord Reveals Himself to Us
Just as God make Himself known to the people of Jericho; He continues to do that with us today. God wants to show His love for us and did so by sending His Son Jesus. Jesus’ love for us was so great that He willingly suffered and died for our sins. John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. [2]
The love God has for us is so deep that it is beyond our imagination. God’s heart aches for those who don’t know Him and rejoices in heaven when people come to faith. Luke 15: 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen. [3]
To hear how the Lord makes Himself known, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-jericho-rahab
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html