By: Obed Pineda
Do you remember where you would run to and seek shelter as a child when the raging winds and rain menacingly knocked on the windows of your bedroom? Chances are that when the terrifying “boom” of the thunder followed the bright flash of lightning illuminating the obsidian night skies, your body instinctively prompted you out of bed into the safe refuge offered under the blankets and bed covers of your parents. Indeed, as a child, hiding beneath those blankets felt like being inside the safety of a fortified city, guarded by our seemingly indestructible and invincible parents. Needless to say that as one grows up to be an adult, this childish reaction is nothing more than a fond memory that tugs a smile upon our lips. Yet, the instinctual response one had as a child to seek refuge and safety in the face of danger is very much the same as an adult. Where or whom one turns to for survival is truly the only thing that differs as a grown-up. Of course this, too, reveals where a person (like the child) deposits their confidence; what they place their faith in. There is no question that the reason we chose to rush to our parent’s bedroom and seek shelter under their blankets from the storm was because of the security we would feel as kids being near them, putting our mind at ease. The same is so as adults when we spot a police officer or security guard whom we can turn to when we feel that our person is in peril. The structure that we judge to be solid and sturdy becomes our shelter, able to protect us from the strong winds of a tornado or hurricane, and thus we quickly enter into it finding solace once inside. Whatever, wherever, or whomever an individual turns to in times of jeopardy, it undeniably manifests the profound trust they have placed in said object, place, or person. However, the choices that were not selected in these moments also express a similar message, but in the opposite way. Holy Writ declares, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem” (Proverbs 18:10-11). Solomon’s inspired proverbs illumines two common sources of safety that humanity relies on for help frequently. In the same breath, Israel’s king unveils that whichever master we chose to trust determines whether we are righteous or unrighteous. It establishes if an individual is wise or not. The Master warns against putting all of our confidence in our earthly possessions explaining, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19, 21). The Lord’s illustration must not be limited to be speaking exclusively about financial wealth because the focus of His instruction is about where a man deposits his trust. The beloved apostle John (who was present at the time the Master shared this lesson) builds upon Christ’s teaching by also stating, “do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him… the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1st John 2:15, 17). Once more, where a man turns to for help during their great hour of need unveils the location of their heart. The person that turns to God has their mind firmly fixed on the things of above; the person that goes to the material and earthly avenues seeking aid, has their eyes transfixed on that which is vanishing. This realization also adds depth to the significance of Paul’s proclamation that a faithful Christians “walk by faith, not by sight” (2nd Corinthians 5:7). A tremendous example of what this author is saying is referred to in the inspired writings of James (cf. James 2:20-26). Although the example of Abraham’s faith is certainly found in the passage, it is often overlooked what the inspired amanuensis is doing with his inclusion of Rahab the harlot. James places the faith of Rahab equal with that of Abraham; the one whom is often referred to as the father of faith. James explains that “likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way” (James 2:25). Remember that the Israelite messengers were in Jericho spying out the land in preparation of conquering it. Rahab was from Jericho and therefore these men seeking to take over their lands were (by definition) her enemies. From the human perspective, Rahab should have handed them over to the king of Jericho in order to stop Israel’s invasion from taking place. Instead, the Bible reveals that Rahab did not position her trust in the fortified walls of Jericho meant to defend its inhabitants from enemy attacks, but chose rather to believe the report she had heard about Jehovah God; the God of Israel (cf. Joshua 2:8-11). Rahab’s faith in the God of Israel gave her the might to sacrifice and forsake everything she had built in Jericho, like Abraham had when he chose to follow God (cf. Genesis 12:1-3, Hebrews 11:8). This godly woman’s faith burned even more brightly when we consider the boldness of her request to the two spies from Israel (cf. Joshua 2:12-13). Rahab’s trust in God is made evident not only by protecting those who would inevitably tear and burn her home down, but also in asking them to grant her and her entire family deliverance out of Jericho; the city guarded by the thirty-three foot overall thick walls. Rahab’s conviction in that the LORD God of Israel would deliver them was so immovable, that even when the walls of the city fell flat all around them, she and those inside her house (“for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall”) did not go outside, but obeyed what had been instructed to her and remained inside until they came to deliver her and her family (Joshua 2:15b-20, cf. Joshua 6:20-25). Rahab’s magnificent display of faith in the God Who was not even her own, validates the proverb’s assurance that “in the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27). When everything Rahab had ever known and worked for was about to be completely eliminated, she sought not the safety that the thick walls of Jericho offered, but instead ran to Jehovah God of Israel, fully convinced that He “is a strong tower” (Proverbs 18:10a). James confirms the second half of the proverb when he stated that Rahab was justifed by her actions of faith (cf. James 2:25). Thus, when all that we possess and know is threatened to disappear, where do we seek refuge and safety? Is the Almighty my strong tower or have I placed more confidence in that which moth and rust destroys?