Sermon # 29 - Connected By A Red Cord Series

When we think about being in bondage we must remember that bondages are not only to addictive habits, but there are numerous other areas of our lives we can be held captive to; some of them could be pride, anger, love for money, friendships or certain unhealthy relationships, social media and the list is unending. God’s will and plan for us is that everyone of us be set totally free from every form of enslavement, and live a triumphant life.

We read in Psalms 77:1, “I cried to God with my voice...” (ESV) and in Psalms 77:14, “You are the God who works miracles;”(GNT)

In Psalms 77:11, he says, “I will remember your great deeds, LORD; I will recall the wonders you did in the past.” (GNB)

The Psalmist in Psalms 77:1 says that he cried out to the Lord with his voice. Most often we cry out loud only when in a situation of frustration or turmoil. However, in verse 14 his mood changes, and he affirms by saying, ‘you are a God who works miracles’ which makes us wonder what happened in this interval, where he started off with discouragement but ended with a proclamation of faith. The answer is found in verse 11, when he took his eyes off his circumstances, and decided to remember and recall the great and mighty wonders that God performed in the past.

Whenever we encounter those difficult challenges, and hard situations in our lives, we must learn to do exactly as the Psalmist did; meditate and recall all the wonder that God accomplished in the past. We are indeed believers of the new covenant that Jesus consummated for us by His sacrificial death on the cross, and fulfilled by His burial, resurrection and ascension. But, we have the entire Bible placed in our hands, so that we can read and comprehend all that God has done in the past, thereby strengthening our faith in God to face the present and the future.

Rahab and the crimson (red) cord

We read in Joshua 2:21, She said, "According to your words, so be it." She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.” (NRSV)

This is an incident about a woman named Rahab, a citizen of Jericho, whose house was built on the wall that surrounded the city of Jericho. The wall of Jericho was famous for its architecture and fortitude. It is said that the walls were so broad that two chariots could ride on top of it at the same time. However, as the people of Israel advanced towards the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was a hindrance to their progress. The people of Jericho heard all about God’s mighty hand at work, and the wonders He performed to deliver the people of Israel from the cruel hand of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. When the news reached them that the Israelites were advancing towards their city, they were filled with fear and dread of the Israelites. Rahab was a harlot and probably someone who was shunned by others, but when she heard this, though she too was fearful she decided to put her faith in the God of the Israelites.

One day two Israelite men who came to spy on Jericho, came knocking on Rahab’s door. Instead of fearing the king, Rahab decided to entertain the two men from Israel because she believed that the God of Israel was greater than any king. Rahab gave shelter to the two men, and made way for them to escape out of Jericho safely. The reward that Rahab received from the Lord for her act of faith was immense.

We read in Joshua 2:12-13, “Now, therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD since I have showed you mercy that ye will also do the same unto my father's house, of which thou shalt give me a true sign, and that ye will save alive my father and my mother and my brethren and my sisters and all that they have and deliver our lives from death.” (JUB)

As a recompense for taking care of the spies from Israel, Rahab requested the men to be gracious to her and her family, to save them from death and destruction which she knew was impending. Being a woman who led an immoral life, the chances were that she lived all alone and was probably abandoned by everybody including her family. However, when it came to seeking the safety from the imminent destruction from the Israelite armies, she pleaded with the two men that all of her family be saved (her father, mother, brothers and sisters).

We read in Joshua 2:18, “This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's family together in your house.” (GNT)