But Everyone Else Is

I know that the Lord has given Israel this land. Everyone shakes with fear because of you. We know that the Lord your God rules heaven and earth, and we’ve lost our courage and our will to fight.

Joshua 2:9, 11 (CEV)

We all face moments when we have to make life-changing decisions—some big, some small. For Rahab, it was a life or death decision.

In this Bible story, God’s people, the Israelites, were invading the land God had promised to give them to live in safety. With God’s help, the wicked people in the cities were to be cleared out. When the Israelite spies ended up in Rahab’s house, she had to decide: should she go against her people, take God’s side, and help them? Would these invaders and their God even accept her? She hadn’t exactly lived a sin-free life. Still, she knew that taking their side was her only hope. She hid the men, then helped them escape through her window.

With God’s help, the Israelites destroyed the city, but as the spies had promised, they saved Rahab and her family. She put her full trust in the Lord, and she was accepted into the Israelite community. God gave her a new life. She even became a great-great-grandmother to Jesus!

When you are surrounded by people going against God, the best decision is to be brave like Rahab and choose wisely. God rewards those who follow him.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Often, following God means going against what everyone else is doing. What are some situations in which you find it hard to make the right choice? Talk to God about them and ask him to help you do the right thing. Write your decision down, then consider what the consequences might be for choosing God’s way or going against him.

PRAY

God, I want to be on your side. Help me make the right, brave choices, even when it’s hard.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Please read...

Joshua 6:22–23

Psalm 20:7–8

Hebrews 11:31

James 2:24–25