“…so she (Rahab) sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”     Joshua 2:21

 

Joshua sent two spies to Jericho to check things out before they went to battle. Rahab, a prostitute in the city, protected them because she feared God. She asked the men to please spare her family when the Israelites destroyed Jericho. The spies said they would spare her and her entire household. And so she tied a scarlet cord in her window so they would see it and remember their promise to her.

Just as that scarlet cord spared Rahab, the scarlet blood of Jesus Christ will spare us from sin, destruction, and hell. His blood washes away our sin when we ask for His forgiveness and allow Him to make a permanent home in our hearts.

When we do, He ties His scarlet cord in the window of our souls.

I love how she tied the scarlet cord in her window. Some windows are transparent. You can see through them. I wonder. Can others see the scarlet cord of Christ when they look at our lives?

A window also allows things to come in and out of a home. We should let the scarlet cord of Christ control what we allow to come in and out of our homes.

More than that, we should let the scarlet cord of Christ determine what we allow to come in and out of our hearts.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Here are some questions I have been reflecting on as I read this story.

Does what I allow into my home and heart honor Him? Does what I watch on television honor Him? Does what I look at on the internet and read honor Him? What about the places I go? The people I hang around?

And here’s what really trips me up: Do my thoughts honor Him? What about the words I say?

Let’s make a determination right here and now.

In order to gain access into our hearts, it better pass the “scarlet cord” test! And if it doesn’t, it needs to go. Because whatever it is, it has no place in our lives, our hearts, or  homes.

 

There is a wonderful sermon by Jentezen Franklin about the scarlet cord. I am attaching it below if you want to watch it. If the link isn’t in the email, just click on the title above and it will take you to the blog where you can click on the link. Have a wonderful day!