Waiting is Hard!

Day 1 Mark 10:46 Cross references John 9:8, Matthew 20:29, Luke 18:35, Joshua 2; 5:13 –6:1–27 https://bible.com/bible/1849/mrk.10.46.TPT Waiting is hard! At the time of Jesus, Jericho was known as an oasis city. In fact, Herod the Great built his winter palace near here because of its warm climate and fresh water springs. The Bible describes Jericho as the “City of Palm Trees.” Since Jericho catered to the rich and powerful during the time of Jesus, homeless outcasts often lined the roads in and out of town because it was a good place to encounter the well-to-do traders and political elites. Jericho has a rich history. Jericho was one of the first cities that Joshua and the children of Israel conquered after being rescued from Egypt. God required all the riches of Jericho as a tithe unto Him. The next city they conquered they were allowed to plunder the wealth for themselves. They had to wait on their blessings.

Rahab had to wait quite a long time for her deliverance. She was a resident of Jericho before Joshua showed up. She heard about what God had done in Egypt and in Sihon and Og and how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan. She believed in their God. She was given a promise that she and her family would be spared. Did this happen the next day or even the day after that? No. She waited and waited. She waited with her family, most likely inside their house for at least 16 days until the Israelites showed up. Then they walked around the city blowing trumpets once and went home. Do you think Rahab might have experienced a little doubt after waiting and then watching them leave? Was her family just quietly, blindly obeying her? I know my family would have had some opinions to throw around. Nevertheless, she clung to her faith while she waited. There were many sick, homeless, lame and blind people waiting outside the streets of Jericho for a chance to beg Alms from the rich. How long will you hold fast to your faith?

Are you willing to wait?