
"it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but it is the glory of kings to search out a matter."
I've been doing some searching! In fact, I do it every day with Holy Spirit as we read God's word together. I love being taught by the anointing (1 John 2:27).
We just returned from India and the core message our Lord gave me to carry was regarding the "rope of hope."
In the New King James Version the first place we see the word "hope" in English is found in Ruth. But the Hebrew word from which means hope was first used in Joshua 2. Joshua 2 presents the story about Rahab the harlot and the two spies sent to examine Jericho.
The spies used Rahab's home for cover. When the king of Jericho sent his men to search for these spies Rahab hid them. Why? It's because she'd heard how God was with Israel. All of Jericho feared for they'd heard how God had delivered Israel. She used a rope to save the spies and help them escape the destruction the king of Jericho would have executed on them.
Their response to Rahab's request is loaded with symbology that points to the hope of salvation we have through Christ.
So, are you someone who sees yourself as a horrible sinner? You think God shouldn't even give you the time of day! Your feel like your sin separating you so far from God? I mean, think about how Rahab the harlot must of felt? Are you facing seemingly impossible circumstances which will destroy you? Are you in need of some hope?
Check out what's revealed in Joshua 2:18. It says:
"unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home. "
I'd like to highlight "line" and "scarlet cord."
h8615. תִּקְוָה ṯiqwâ; from 6960; literally, a cord (as an attachment (compare 6961)); figuratively, expectancy: — expectation ((-ted)), hope, live, thing that I long for.
It means HOPE or EXPECTATION!
Rahab made a decision which led to the salvation of not only herself but also her whole family. The types and shadow found here are marvelous especially when you consider that in Matthew 1:5 that she became part of Christ's family lineage. She was the mother of Boaz who married Ruth. A harlot, because of her decision to trust in the Holy One of Israel became part of the family of God.
Do you feel hopeless?
King David described well this feeling of hopelessness in Psalm 38. He describes how he feels like his iniquities have gone over his head, a burden to big for him to bear! He was hurt and his wounds festering because of HIS FOOLISHNESS! He acknowledges that it is his fault that he feels feeble and severely broken and that his loved ones had abandoned him. Then he declares in Psalm 38:15:
"For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God!
The sweet Psalmist goes on to declare that he will confess his iniquity and then he requests God's help for deliverance.
Do you feel like you face a situation with no way out? No hope of deliverance? Then I hope you will catch this line and tie yourself to the "rope of hope." Follow King David's example!
- Acknowledge your feelings
- Confess your sin (1 John 1:9-2:1)
- Recognize that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin therefore, GOD HEARS YOU! (Revelation 12:11)
- Discover what God's word says about your situation (health, sustenance, relationships etc.) and stand upon God's word. "Lord, Your word says...."
- This is like the rope that ties your hope to God's word and God's word is anchor. (Hebrews 6:19)
- So we need to tie ourselves to God's word and then we can cry like David did and say:
- Psalm 38:22 "Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation