Morning and Evening – April 18, 2026

Morning

“She bound the scarlet line in the window.”

Joshua 2:21

Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the spies, whom she looked upon as the representatives of the God of Israel. Her faith was simple and firm, but it was very obedient. To tie the scarlet line in the window was a very trivial act in itself, but she dared not run the risk of omitting it. Come, my soul, is there not here a lesson for thee? Hast thou been attentive to all thy Lord’s will, even though some of his commands should seem non-essential? Hast thou observed in his own way the two ordinances of believers’ baptism and the Lord’s Supper? These neglected, argue much unloving disobedience in thy heart. Be henceforth in all things blameless, even to the tying of a thread, if that be matter of command.

This act of Rahab sets forth a yet more solemn lesson. Have I implicitly trusted in the precious blood of Jesus? Have I tied the scarlet cord, as with a Gordian knot in my window, so that my trust can never be removed? Or can I look out towards the Dead Sea of my sins, or the Jerusalem of my hopes, without seeing the blood, and seeing all things in connection with its blessed power? The passer-by can see a cord of so conspicuous a colour, if it hangs from the window: it will be well for me if my life makes the efficacy of the atonement conspicuous to all onlookers. What is there to be ashamed of? Let men or devils gaze if they will, the blood is my boast and my song. My soul, there is One who will see that scarlet line, even when from weakness of faith thou canst not see it thyself; Jehovah, the Avenger, will see it and pass over thee. Jericho’s walls fell flat: Rahab’s house was on the wall, and yet it stood unmoved; my nature is built into the wall of humanity, and yet when destruction smites the race, I shall be secure. My soul, tie the scarlet thread in the window afresh, and rest in peace.

My Morning Reflection

Beloved, what a tender and searching picture Rahab’s obedience paints for us this morning. She did not merely assent to the spies’ promise in the privacy of her heart—she took the small, visible step of hanging the scarlet line exactly as instructed. In a world that often treats “small” commands as optional, her action calls us to a faith that obeys in the trivial as well as the tremendous. Our Lord is worthy of that kind of careful, loving attention in every area of life.

The scarlet line is a beautiful shadow of the blood of Christ. Just as that cord assured Rahab’s household of safety amid judgment, the blood of sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel. It declares “peace,” “accepted,” and “passed over.” When we tie that truth firmly in the window of our lives—through our words, our worship, our daily choices—it becomes a testimony that cannot be hidden.

How comforting to remember that even when our faith feels thin and the line seems loosely tied, Jehovah Himself sees it. The Avenger passes over because He sees the blood. Your house, your heart, your hopes are secure not because your grip is strong, but because His promise is unbreakable.

Let us live today with the scarlet line conspicuous. Let the efficacy of the atonement be the most noticeable feature of our lives—so that family, friends, and even strangers cannot help but see that we belong to the God who saves.

Nectared Goad: Beloved, is the scarlet line of the Savior’s blood bound firmly in the window of your heart this morning? When your faith wavers, will you rest in the assurance that Jehovah sees it and will pass over you in mercy?

Evening

“And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.”

Genesis 32:12

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God’s protection, and as a master reason he pleaded, “And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.” Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word—“Thou saidst.” The attribute of God’s faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to lay hold upon; but the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, is a yet mightier holdfast—“Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.” And has he said, and shall he not do it? “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Shall not he be true? Shall he not keep his word? Shall not every word that cometh out of his lips stand fast and be fulfilled? Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had spoken to his father David, and to bless that place. When a man gives a promissory note, his honour is engaged; he signs his hand, and he must discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses credit. It shall never be said that God dishonours his bills. The credit of the Most High never was impeached, and never shall be. He is punctual to the moment: he never is before his time, but he never is behind it. Search God’s word through, and compare it with the experience of God’s people, and you shall find the two tally from the first to the last. Many a hoary patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass.” If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with an “if,” you may urge it with certainty. The Lord meant to fulfil the promise, or he would not have given it. God does not give his words merely to quiet us, and to keep us hopeful for awhile with the intention of putting us off at last; but when he speaks, it is because he means to do as he has said.

My Evening Reflection

What a powerful example Jacob gives us this evening. Cornered between the river and his angry brother, he reaches for the strongest argument a saint can use: “Thou saidst.” He is not inventing a new plea; he is simply holding God to His own word. This is the confidence every child of God may have.

God’s promises are not polite suggestions or vague hopes. They are the very bond of His character. When He says “I will surely do thee good,” He has signed it with His own name. He cannot deny Himself. His credit is perfect; His timing is perfect.

In your own dark Jabbok moments—when fear presses in and the future looks threatening—learn to pray like Jacob. Take the exact promise God has spoken to you and lay it before Him: “Lord, Thou saidst…” There is no stronger plea in all of heaven.

This is the rest of the weary believer. We do not trust in our feelings, our strength, or our track record. We trust in the One who cannot lie. Every promise is “Yes” in Christ. He will surely do us good.

Nectared Goad: Beloved, when pressure comes and Esau seems to be approaching with armed men, will you take God at His word and plead “Thou saidst”? What specific promise will you lay before Him tonight with childlike confidence?

Daily Tie-In

The twin themes of visible faith and clinging to God’s naked promise weave beautifully through today’s readings. Calvin reminds us that true faith is never idle—it is a living, active reliance that shows itself in obedience, even in the seemingly small matters such as Rahab’s scarlet cord. Edwards, in his treatise on the religious affections, would urge us that the promises of God are meant to inflame our hearts with holy desire and joyful assurance, stirring us to lay hold of Christ with greater intensity when fear or doubt assails us.

Together they call us to a faith that is both conspicuous and confident. The scarlet line was not hidden; it was tied where all could see it. Likewise, our trust in the blood of Christ and in the unbreakable “Thou saidst” of our God should be the most noticeable feature of our lives. When we live this way, we honor the One who has spoken, and we quiet our own hearts with the knowledge that He who promised is faithful.

May we tie the scarlet thread afresh this day and rest in the good He has sworn to do us.