Keeping the Family Together

Joshua 6:23

So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.

Rahab lived in Jericho. When she discovered her city with its enormous protective walls would be destroyed, she made a deal. She would hide the spies, but they would have to save the lives of Rahab and her family.

Her story in the Old Testament reminds me of the story in the New Testament that shows a man believing what Jesus was saying and allowing that to affect his family. Jesus refused to accompany a man to his home and heal his son who was close to death. Instead, Jesus simply told the man to go because his son would live. The man went home, but before arriving, his servants met him with the news that his son had started feeling better around 1pm the day before. We read in John 4:53 what happened when he acted on what Jesus said.

Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

I know God loves each of us as individuals. But he also loves to work in our families. During the holidays, my family loves to get together and connect over games and food. Actually, any time of year will do. We make time to share what we’ve enjoyed doing in our recent past and what we look forward to in our near future. We hold hands and pray together. We even go to events together when we can.

God loves to be a part of our daily lives, whether during the holidays or not. He’s the glue that keeps our family together. He’s the sugar that keeps us sweet. He’s the adrenaline that gives us a rush and makes us fast when we need to be. He’s the warmth in our hugs. And he’s the one who puts creative ideas in our plans to help us come together again soon.