(RETURN TO REFLECTIONS)
The spies came into Jericho, a city held captive in the grips of many reports of the God of Israel, His miracles, His protection, and His victories (Joshua 2:9-11). The city surely was fortified, but in the ending of this well-known story, Jericho was defeated by the hand of the Lord and by His people, who walked in yielded trust.

Rahab had kept the spies hidden. Before they left she had a plea; fearing for her life and the lives of her family (Joshua 2:12-14). Could they be spared? The spies instructed a scarlet line remain outside of her window on the outside of the Jericho wall (vs. 17-19). This was the marker. For that family, it was the plumb line. Without that red cord visible, her household would be destroyed. Surely “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins,” and only ″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (Hebrews 9:22, 1John 1:7)

The line was drawn around the city. The thick walls were meant for security and obscurity. What happened in Jericho stayed in Jericho. The fortified stronghold however was not yielded to the Lord, or His righteousness, and soon it would fall. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Prov. 28:13).” Are you feeling the deep pin-pointing of the Lord upon areas that aren’t in “line” with His word, and His Truth. What isn’t in “line” with the plumb line will be revealed, and regretted.

  Outside the city wall, the Lord’s troops lined up in formation marching around Jericho for six days. This line was one of “Alignment.” Obediently, silently, faithfully marching to a war strategy that looked utterly foolish. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1Cor. 1:27).” The sound of the shofar sounded each of seven days. And on the seventh day, when the people were instructed to shout, the walls fell down. (Joshua 6:5).
 
The trumpet of the Lord is sounding in this season, stronger than at any other time. It’s a wake-up call, an alarm, an alert, a gathering together of His people in unison. From within us may there be a strong shout of agreement “… shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible ; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet (Ps. 47:1-3).”
A Line and Align “And she said, ‘According unto your words, so be it.’ And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” - Joshua 2:21 In Him, Rev. Sharon Carlson IAM Overseer and V.P. 9/13