Scarlet Hope At The Window
A bright red ribbon catching morning light, a quiet picture of hope tied to a sure promise.
Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling, Joshua 2:15-18 with reflections by William Easton and J. F. Strombeck, compiled by Nick Harrison
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Rahab’s story reads like a window thrown open to the future. Her house sat on Jericho’s wall, yet her gaze turned away from the city’s noise and toward a coming rescue. She trusted the God of Israel, tied a scarlet cord in her window, and waited. Ordinary rope. Bold faith. A sign that said, I belong to the Lord when He comes.
William Easton draws our eyes to that window and to the greater Deliverer. The Son has already rescued our souls by His blood, and He will return to take us home. The outlook of the believer is not glued to the passing scene. We look toward the realities that are already ours in Jesus and soon will be seen. He is the Deliverer. We wait for Him.
J. F. Strombeck cares for tender hearts that have mixed law and grace. Many fear the Lord’s return because they measure themselves by perfection demanded from the outside. Grace speaks a different word. He will receive you to Himself. The comfort is not the strength of your grip. The comfort is the certainty of His promise and His embrace of every believer who is in Him.
I am grateful for Nick Harrison’s curation. These voices help me lift my chin. The scarlet cord is not a charm. It is a pointer to Jesus and His finished work. We are joined to Him by grace, sealed by the Spirit, and taught to live with our windows open toward His appearing. Hope looks out, not in. Hope makes us steady in the middle of ordinary days.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I am the Holy Spirit, and I dwell in you because you belong to Jesus. I seal you for the day of redemption. Your citizenship is in heaven, and from there you await the Savior who will transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body. I set your mind on things above where your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When He appears, you also will appear with Him in glory.
I remind you that your hope rests on the blood of Jesus. He has entered the holy places by His own blood and has obtained eternal redemption. By His blood you are justified and saved from wrath. I bear witness within you that you are an heir of God and a coheir with the Anointed One. You wait with patience for what you do not yet see, and I sustain you with the firstfruits of the age to come.
Fix your outlook like Rahab’s window. You live in this world, but your gaze is set toward the coming King. I teach you to adorn the gospel with a quiet life of good works that spring from grace. I move you to love the person in front of you, to speak truth with kindness, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age while you wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior.
Do not confuse your standing with your feelings. The promise stands in Jesus. I keep you. I purify your hope. Everyone who hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure, not by anxious toil, but by staying near to the One who is your life. I whisper the same assurance again. He is coming. You are His. Lift your eyes and live today from that window.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of tying a bright ribbon on your suitcase handle before a trip. In a sea of bags on the carousel, that small strip of color marks what is yours. You spot it quickly. You walk toward it with confidence.
Rahab’s cord functioned like that. A visible sign that a household belonged to the Lord. Today, the Spirit of Jesus marks you from the inside, and your hope becomes visible in how you carry the day. If you face a hard appointment, you might quietly say, Lord, I trust You to anchor my hope and kindness as I enter this room. Then go in on time, listen well, and answer plainly. Let the Lord make your ordinary words a bright ribbon of promise.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that Jesus has already saved me by His blood. Thank You that the Holy Spirit seals me and keeps my hope alive. Thank You for the certainty of the Lord’s return and for the comfort that I am included in His promise. I receive Your peace for this day. I rejoice that my window is open toward Your future, and I am glad to live from that hope right now.
Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
Joshua 2:15-18. Joshua 2:12-21. Joshua 6:22-25. Hebrews 11:31. James 2:25. Ephesians 1:13-14. Philippians 3:20-21. Colossians 3:1-4. Hebrews 9:12-14. Romans 5:9. Romans 8:23-25. Romans 8:16-17. Titus 2:11-14. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. John 14:1-3. 1 Peter 1:3-5. 1 John 3:1-3. Colossians 1:27. Revelation 22:12. Revelation 22:20. 2 Peter 3:11-14. Ephesians 2:4-7. 2 Corinthians 1:20.