Have you ever melted in fear? In Chapter 2 of Joshua, Rehab tells the hidden spies that the people of her country “Melted in fear” when they heard that God’s people were coming to their land.
When my wife and I were tent camping in Pennsylvania one night, we experienced a fearful moment. We were the only campers staying in an otherwise secluded and wooded area.
After eating supper and sitting around the campfire for a couple of hours, we retired to our tent for the night. Suddenly we awoke to the sounds of crashing and banging of the metal trash cans. The noise got louder and louder until a barrel slammed up against our tent and we could hear the snorting and slobbering of some kind of beast right next to our canvass tent. I bolted upright in my sleeping bag with Lynn almost now sitting on top of me. It was pitch black, I could see nothing and was afraid to put on my flashlight. I felt around for some kind of weapon, but the only thing I could find was a cigarette lighter. We sat perfectly still, huddled together, waiting, ready to burn the nose of the intruding beast if it chose to invade our tent. Thankfully the animal wandered away banging other trash barrels along the way and then there was silence. Yes, I suppose you could say we melted with fear that night as we ran to the car for the balance of the night.
Probably the greatest message written in the book of Joshua is found in Chapter 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The exciting thing to me is that an example of having a strong faith isn’t first displayed by Joshua but by Rehab in Chapter 2:9. She shows both great courage and faith as she declares “for the Lord your God is God!” Then she shows here faith and trust by offering to help the spies escape if they will spare her and her family when they come to possess the land. Not “if” they come but “when” they come. Her faith in the one true God melted her fear.
We too can have great strength, and courage if we put our faith in God who is always with us.
David Blythe, Lenoir, N.C.
Extended Scripture: Joshua 1–2 (NIV)
