“And they came to the house of Rahab,
and they lodged there.”
Joshua 2:1

They were simple men of God, following their new leader Joshua’s orders to spy out the
city that God’s army was preparing to give to His People of Israel. Moses had died,
God’s people had crossed the Jordan River into the Land God had promised them, and
they now stood at the doorstep of the of the first major city to which God had led them in
this new Land of Promise. . . Jericho. God had told them five times, via their new leader
Joshua, to “be strong and courageous” as they entered the Land that God was giving
them.

The bedouin nation of God’s beloved people had been through such a life-changing
Journey with God, and were now on the brink of the Future that God had prepared for
them. But it was not going to be easy. There were SO many challenges and battles
ahead . . . every step of the way. Jericho loomed ahead. The “unknown” was there,
and God’s Army was not anticipating a warm welcome to enter those massive gates
and the armed security forces surrounding it.

Joshua ordered his army to prepare to tackle the first city that God was directing them
to take . . . the walled city of Jericho. This would be the First Step into the Future that
God had Promised. All of God’s People were preparing for the “great unknown” that lay
ahead.

But the first step would be taken by a handful of men who would enter into that Great
Unknown before the rest of God’s People would take their own steps forward. What
would happen? What lay ahead? What dangers? What opposition? What kind of
people? What would it cost them? Where do they even begin to see the Path forward?
Imagine the apprehension that every man, woman and child must have been
experiencing as they stood on the very Brink of the new Story God was writing for them!

Two men were chosen. They were to be the spies. Incognito. Quiet. Unobserved. Yet
charged to look . . . listen . . . blend in and gather all the information needed for the
Army of God to be able to draw up their Battle Plans for a successful armed invasion of
a great walled city fortress that would be the First Step for God’s People into this Land
of Promise.

Imagine their thoughts as the two spies walked through the great gate into the city.
Military security would be around the entrance and patrolling the market area and roads
leading into the city. Merchants calling to the visitors and residents of the city. Probably
a language difference . . . Noise. Chaos. Nerves on edge. Blend in…keep your head
low…do not draw any attention. Watch…listen…take note of everything . . . layout of the
city. . . military presence. . . where? . . . any weak spots. . . find a “safe spot” to work
from as the necessary situational information is being gathered.

That “safe spot” apparently was in a “dark zone” where activities could be happening in
secret. An area where prostitution was going on. Secrets were kept. Darkness was in
the atmosphere. . . Shame was active. Hiding was common.

The two spies for God’s People found shadows in that part of the city. Nobody looked
too closely at anyone else. “Hiding” was familiar. Shame was the common motivator.
And one particular woman stepped into God’s Plan in that place of Darkness. Rahab.
And God’s two men encountered her, despite her reputation and life realities.

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“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
Ecclesiastiastics 4:12

My maternal grandmother was “high-strung,” we called it. She was tiny in stature, very attuned to what was going on, and keenly aware of the Bible’s guidelines for living. She was often “wringing her hands” as she observed daily activities of her family. I can’t say that I hoped to be like her some day, but I am grateful for her influence of always having her Bible open on the kitchen table, and her commitment to reading passages throughout her day.

The Wisdom woven throughout the Book of Ecclesiastics is worthy of pondering . . . nugget by nugget. Practical, Godly Wisdom is as true in our daily lives now as it was in ancient times. People walk through Life now, encountering its complex realities with the same questions, longings and needs for Purpose as has always been part of our humanity.

Our greatest quandary is often our personal desire for a clear sense of Purpose. Our world
screams to us with a flood of options available . . . both good and bad. We “walk a tightrope of choices” each day, with lots of voices advising us of what we should choose.

The writer of Ecclesiastics gives us a practical word picture to help us “untangle” this quandary. A good rope is not a single strand of fiber. There is not enough strength in one strand. It could snap, and whatever it was holding would quickly succumb to gravity and its own weight and immediately fall to the ground. A rope of two strands is better, but still quite at risk of soon snapping if the only other strand breaks. I recently read an article of a discovery unearthed dating back to “neandrathol” times of a rope that clearly had three distinct cords of wooden fibers wound together and still identifiable.

A cord of three strands has a far better chance of holding the weight of its task and completing it. Sharing the weight between three cords woven together has far more strength and longevity as the three share the pressure equally.

Our human nature . . . and pride . . . leans toward “doing it myself.” That is more of a child-like
approach. “No! I do myself!” is something most mothers encounter with their little ones. We
may give them the chance to “do it myself” . . . but often need to step in to rescue the situation.

God knows that part of our nature. He knows how quickly a single strand can snap. He knows that two strands together adds a better chance of succeeding in the task at hand.

And He Himself works with the number “3.” The God-head . . . 3-in-One . . . is the Model He set for us, and offers us as we walk through this earthly life. Three-in-One. Trinity. And He has made it possible for us to hold on to Him . . . daily, and throughout our time on earth. He has also put additional Believers in our lives to walk this Path together.

When life seems to be falling apart . . . all tangled up . . . you’re at the “end of your rope” . . .
Look Up! Grab on! Hold tightly to the hand of a fellow-Believer, and , most of all, to the scarred Hand that Holds You in His Palm . . . and continue on the Journey together.

What do you think of when you look at clouds?  I would imagine that every one of us would have a different answer to that question.  After all, there are no two clouds alike, anywhere in the world.  There is nothing tangible to reach out and grasp. . . nothing permanent in their movements . . . and yet, everywhere on earth they exist.  We can see them, so we know that they truly exist, and can experience the tangible rains they hold.   Yet there is nothing that can contain, manage, nor control them.  

Clouds exist everywhere in the world.  And the human perspectives of clouds can change countless times  each day, never to be repeated exactly anywhere else.

The Bible has many stories that involve clouds, and they are often mentioned in connection with God Himself.  I wonder if there is any human throughout Time that did not wonder . . . wish . . . imagine . . . and perhaps fear  being in His Presence.

The Apostle John saw and wrote about his experience of “seeing” Him.  And he wrote about what he saw.  “He comes with clouds,” was very clear to him near the very beginning of John’s writings of his experience.

I have pondered John’s words, and I think of it two different ways.  I’m sure there are countless ways to think of what John described.  That’s part of God’s Word being “living and active” . . . no one can ever “nail it” because of that living, active reality that God’s Word contains.  

But I’ll share the three top thoughts that have been floating around in my mind and heart as I have meditated on this in the past several months.  

“Behold !. . . He comes with clouds. . “

#l.   Literally, I love to look up into the sky on a day that has clouds, and try to take note of their shapes, “fluffiness”, whispyness (is that a word?), how they’re moving, what shapes my mind can “see” as they hang or float in the bue sky, what direction they are moving.   Do they look like rain clouds?  Are they dark? Threatening some harsh storm?

When I’m in a plane and we fly through a cloud,  then break through to blue sky, there’s a lot more emotion tied to the view. . . nervousness, curiosity, physical bumps that jar me to pray . . . lovely surprises as the clouds part and reveal a whole different world than the place where I live.  Clouds draw me to “look” . . . enjoy, imagine, wonder, what it will be like when we see Him coming in the clouds.

As I have shared my life with God, a decision I made when I was 3 years old, I have carried a clear sense of His real-ness, His awareness of me…all the good and bad in my heart and mind, yet with a certainty that He was near me through it all.  Many seasons in my life I would sense that I was under a “cloud”, as turbulent times, sadness, 

pain, loss, betrayal, and grief flowed through my “sky” as well as the seasons of joy, wonder, love, sweetness and a front-row seat of watching Him work, when the clouds had parted and His Warmth and Light helped to brighten my heart and life.

God’s Clouds give us a glimpse of Who He is . . . bringing Light, Life-giving Water, Shelter from the scorching heat of life.  Clouds bring  beauty that draws our eyes UP . . . to Him . . . not able to hold Him in our hands, but we can see Him moving, drink in the pure Water of Life that flows from Him,  and simply stand in His Presence as He pours down showers of blessing from His endless Source of Life. 

The next time you see clouds, take a moment to consider Revelation 1:7.  He comes with clouds . . . never in exactly the same form . . . but wrapped in that beautiful reminder of Him as our eyes are drawn upward.

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(32)Do not be afraid or anxious, little flock, 
For it is your Father’s good pleasure
To give you the Kingdom.”
33)Sell your possessions and give to the poor, (show compassion).
Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible  Treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
(34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:32-34 

Jesus had such a gentle way of saying things that would completely up-end a person’s life.  Luke describes this “teaching time” with Jesus.  The Good Shepherd was talking with his closest friends . . . many of whom were fishermen.

“Do not be afraid or anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”   

Wow!  He begins with such soothing, reassuring words.  Encouraging words!  Words full of hope and great promise.  Their minds were probably beginning to imagine life in a Kingdom in Heaven and all that God was going to give them!  Imagine!!!  Jesus knew about the fears and anxieties that often filled their minds and hearts as they followed Him each day.  There were lots of practical responsibilities they had left behind in order to follow Him.  It had not been easy, comfortable, profitable, and often hard!

Now, finally!  He is saying that Father God was going to give them the Kingdom!!!   Jesus had spoken often of His Father’s Kingdom . . . the Heavenly Home from which He had come.  Has their time finally come?

Did their hearts quicken in suspense?  Were they already beginning to imagine themselves and their loved ones together there . . . with Jesus?  Forever living in God’s glorious, beautiful, eternal Kingdom!

Then, Jesus’ next Words probably felt like a bombshell going off. 

• “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”   OK…we won’t need our possessions, because we’re going to have a Kingdom…
• “Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”    So, God’s provisions for us will never run out or be ruined. . . Whatever He will give us is going to last, forever!
• “For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.’   OK…this Treasure is something that is going to continue on . . . with no end.  That’s unlike anything that exists in my world.  It’s in my heart. . . inside of me . . .forever! 

This may not have been what Jesus’ group of friends were hoping for or expecting.  Jesus was not promising tangible benefits from this world.  Those things will not last.  Jesus was inviting his friends to experience a far greater Treasure, beyond anything that this world can give.  

His Kingdom and all of its Treasures await.  Not in this world, but in God’s Kingdom, where we will spend Eternity with Him  . . . in His Kingdom that will never end.    

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“I call to remembrance 
my Song in the night.
I commune with my own heart;
And my spirit made
diligent search.”
Psalm 77:6

A beautiful starry night . . . a gentle whisper of air coming through my window as I lay in the soft darkness of my bedroom.  My favorite, gentle instrumental music played quietly near my bed.  Peaceful slumber was near as I felt the cares of the day fade into the shadows.

And then I heard him.   His very abrasive little voice pierced the moment.  It was the large toad that apparently preferred to locate himself near the shelter of the small bush outside of my window to anywhere else this night.  As I surrendered my dreamy little Moment of welcome rest, I quietly mumbled to the unseen voice on the other side of my screen window.  His croaky, disruptive voice was clearly planted right in the shelter of the low evergreen branches below my window.  I could picture his beady eyes looking towards my window.  We’d had several “encounters” in the past few weeks…startling, but a chuckle-worthy moment each time.  

As I tried to return to my disrupted sense of slumber and the gentle music wafting on the soft breeze, my new little “buddy” continued to add his scratchy, distinctive croak to the atmosphere.  He had apparently settled there now, and I just tried to appreciate his little inserted “notes” into my lovely bedtime melodies.  

And I wondered . . . God’s Presence, throughout which the Music of Heaven is woven always,  . . . does God smile as we add our earthly croaks to His perfect Melodies as we walk . . .stumble . . . hop . . .through the days and nights of our lives with Him?  Do we join the Chorus of Heaven in praise to Him?  When He hears our scratchy, humanly-flawed efforts as we sing to Him, does He smile?  He gives us “A Song in the Night” of our lives . . . His Song.  We can never match it, but He still invites us to join the Melody He is writing in and through us.  

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