SEIZE THE MOMENT

• DAY 81
• Fear File: Rahab
• Scripture: Joshua 2

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. Then the woman took the two men and hid them. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land… Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Joshua 2:1,4,12&13

As long as we’re on Earth, one thing we will constantly face is times and seasons. God designed everything to function that way. From the beginning of time till now that hasn’t changed and as long as the earth remaineth, that will not change. As we read in Ecclesiastes, there is a time and season for everything on the earth. Within every season and time are opportunities; things that are designed to be done in that season and time. 

For example, to the farmer, the first rain presents an opportunity for him to plant and if he misses the opportunity, he would lose the possibility of a fruitful harvest season. For women, ovulation presents an opportunity for conception. Should she miss that opportunity, she will have to wait for another cycle. 

Opportunities and Seasons

Seasons do not last forever, same as opportunities. That’s why people often say, “opportunity comes, but once” although that statement has inherent flaws, it just means that opportunities don’t last forever. However, the challenge is that when most of us are presented with opportunities in our times and seasons; we allow fear to stop us from maximizing that season or opportunity. Majorly because we are unprepared or we feel inadequate. We lack the courage to make the move. 

Our text today is about a woman that was presented with a seasonal opportunity. This was a woman who understood that seasons change and that she was on the verge of a change.

Israel, in those times, was steadily rising as what we now call a world power and nations were becoming afraid of her. They had conquered key nations and divided seas and her nation was next in line for destruction. But because she understood times and seasons, she was sensitive enough to know that a change was coming, her nation’s defenses will fail and God will give Israel victory. So when an opportunity presented itself looking like two Israelite spies, she was not hesitant or afraid. She simply took it.

It Takes Courage

This woman was willing to put everything at risk, even her life because the season was about to change. And if she stayed stuck in the old season, she might lose the next level that God is taking her to. 

In what way did this woman show courage? She took in people she did not know, spies that could have actually ended her life. She took them in. That was courage. She lied to the king, which was a dangerous decision. Thirdly, she opened up her mouth and made a request. But beyond that, she actually gathered her family and put the scarlet rope outside her window as instructed; even though she was uncertain of the date of their return to conquer. I imagine how convincing she must have been to get them to come quietly and secretly.

Listen, it takes courage to recognize a change. It takes courage to start the process of aligning with said change and to seize the opportunity in it. And it takes courage to follow through on the course of that change. Every stage is pivotal and important.

From Start To Finish

As incredible as it sounds, some people actually don’t finish because they start to second-guess themselves. Should i?. What if? Did I make the right decision? What if this nation actually comes and then they don’t defeat my country? What if this? What if that? But she didn’t. She went ahead and seized the opportunity 

Listen, fear is very dangerous because it can make you miss opportunities. It can hurt your chances When it comes to opportunities, God will present opportunities before you. And because you are timid and you are shy and you are afraid you might miss it, and missing it will be disastrous not only for you but for your family. 

So let me remind you that your family is counting on your courage and your confidence. It could be what delivers your family from bondage. And so do not allow fear to grip your heart and stop you. 

Today is a good day to begin to ask yourself what opportunities God has put around you and begin to seize those opportunities. 

So Pray

Dear Lord, open my eyes to recognize the opportunities that you have placed in the moment and seasons of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Shalom.