I Have Promised to Keep Your Words

Open Your Bible

Psalm 119:57-72, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Joshua 2:1-21

I remember listening to journalist Malcolm Gladwell interview Nashville legend and famed songwriter Bobby Braddock. Their conversation centered on what goes into writing a truly sad song, the kind of tune that finds you driving with one hand on the steering wheel so the other can be free to wipe the tears from your eyes.

As they talked, they decided that country music has a leg up on rock and pop when it comes to mournful tracks, but the question that lingered was Why? In the end, Braddock said it came down to details: “We cry when melancholy collides with specificity.” It’s one thing to sing about heartache, and another thing entirely to sing about standing by a lost friend’s grave and the angels’ faces delighting to welcome that friend home. Take a listen to “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill to hear what I’m talking about.

The reason that details help sad songs resonate with us is because they echo our own experience. We live in a world of details, not generalities. Somehow, the details make a thing more real. When it comes to God’s Word, I delight in the details. You see, in the ancient world, there was no paper. Instead, texts were written on papyrus, a material similar to paper but made out of certain flattened reeds—and papyrus wasn’t cheap. That means that everything included in God’s Word is important. There are no throwaway lines, no unimportant details.

In the story of Rahab, there’s a detail that jumps off the page for me. When she lets the two Israelite spies down through her window, she does so with a “scarlet cord” (Joshua 2:18). And it was this scarlet cord that would identify her home and keep her safe when the Israelites later attacked Jericho. It wasn’t brown or blue or white. It was a scarlet rope—and that makes all the difference in telling this story.

For those early Israelite readers of Rahab’s account, they would have connected the red color of the rope “dripping” down the window frame with the lamb’s blood a previous generation had brushed on the doorframes of their homes. While still slaves in Egypt, God had passed over the houses of the Hebrews on the night the firstborn in every household in the land had died (Exodus 12:23). The blood marked those inside as belonging to God. Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute, but she, too, would be marked as one of God’s people. Though she was late to the party, so to speak, the “blood” of the scarlet cord would bring Rahab her own Passover moment.

The symbol, of course, is not as important as the thing it symbolizes. What set Rahab apart as a member of God’s family was not the red rope but her loyalty to Yahweh, based on the reports she had heard (Joshua 2:10–11). By helping the Israelites, she was committing treason, and she knew it. By earthly measures, the people of Jericho should have been able to withstand an attack by the Israelites. Rahab could have turned the spies over to the authorities and garnered herself the favor of Jericho’s king. But she believed what she had heard about the Lord, and she gave Him her allegiance, echoing with her life what the psalmist would later write: “The LORD is my portion” (Psalm 119:57).

But the scarlet cord doesn’t just point backwards to Passover; it also points forward to Christ. It is Christ’s red blood that now marks those who are members of God’s family. The Passover account had always foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus, and God had always planned on making one new people from Jews and Gentiles. Rahab’s story reveals this had long been in God’s heart to do. The prostitute-turned-daughter of the King is even honored with a place in Jesus’s family tree (Matthew 1:5).

God is the Author of Scripture. No detail is included by accident. Every last one is an invitation to thank Him for His faithfulness, our God who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

John Greco is a writer, editor, and Bible nerd. He and his wife, Laurin, live south of Nashville, where they daily wrangle their three small boys and dream of someday being the ones who get to take all the naps. You can find John at JohnGrecoWrites.com.

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57 thoughts on "I Have Promised to Keep Your Words"

  1. Anjenae Torregano says:

    God sees through what is just on the surface within an individual there is no sin he hasn’t seen before and no soul he can’t read for it’s genuine moral.

  2. Ashley Cully says:

    I love the story of Rahab! It’s the story of a gentile in the midst of Jews and God SAW HER. He is no respecter of persons. He sees those that are “different” and sees the hearts of people. I’m so thankful for a loving Father who cares for us.

  3. Louise Leonard says:

    Love the imagery of the scarlet rope. From Egypt, to Rahab, to the blood of Jesus. I get so excited, even overwhelmed by gratitude and love for my Redeemer, as these details within separate stories all come together in the ultimate story of redemption.

  4. Chantel Miller says:

    Thank You LORD! You are Faithful and True.

  5. Justina Robinson says:

    Thanks be to God for all that he does for us!

  6. Laura Smail says:

    This is an outstanding devo! I love the details!! Thank you for the wonderful reflection, John and SRT.

  7. Adesuwa T Egharevba says:

    Hello! No you are not. What has helped me during reading the Bible (whether on my own or with a group) is having a separate “study bible” to keep at home and read from. I say separate b/c the study bibles are usually thick and bulky so I keep those at home and take another thinner one to church. The study bibles break down passages, have devotionals throughout, key scripture to memorize, and other helpful items to understanding and really thinking about what the scripture says. My favorite one is the Women of Faith Study Bible (NIV). Its awesome! Not only does it include everything I previously listed, but it also has a page and candid snapshots of important women throughout the Bible. There was a whole page on Rahab that I read for today’s devotional that was extremely helpful. You can also go to Christian book stores and browse through the study bibles to get one that caters to your needs. Good luck and you got this! Lifting you up through prayer!

  8. Adesuwa T Egharevba says:

    Hello! No you are not. What has helped me during reading the Bible (whether on my own or with a group) is having a separate “study bible” to keep at home and read from. I say separate b/c the study bibles are usually thick and bulky so I keep those at home and take another thinner one to church. The study bibles break down passages, have devotionals throughout, key scripture to memorize, and other helpful items to understanding and really thinking about what the scripture says. My favorite one is the Women of Faith Study Bible (NIV). Its awesome! Not only does it include everything I previously listed, but it also has a page and candid snapshots of important women throughout the Bible. There was a whole page on Rahab that I read for today’s devotional that was extremely helpful. You can also go to Christian book stores and browse through the study bibles to get one that caters to your needs. Good luck and you got this! Lifting you up through prayer!

  9. Amy Morris says:

    Hi! I’m like not new to the Bible because I grew up reading it but I’m new. I’m not going to lie when I read i feel completely lost. Idk how to read it I guess? Or make sense of it? It just sounds like words on the page. I hope I’m not the only one.

    1. Elise Eichler says:

      You are not alone. They are words on a page. Keep reading and asking God to show you what the words mean. The more you read, the more you will become familiar with the words, the overall story and the God that it’s all about. That’s what He has promised and that’s why these ancient words are still so important today.

      1. Donna Rowse says:

        I agree with Elise as well – ask God to show you what it means. What I find is very helpful is to read the verses in different versions as well to get a new perspective. Also, sometimes I look up the dictionary meaning of words (even if they are really common words – like portion, entreat, gracious, etc) – at times this has been very eye opening and a blessing.

    2. Abigail Woodall says:

      I have the same struggle…you are not alone! I agree with what these other ladies have suggested. I also found a great resource on YouTube called The Bible Project. They go through portions and books of the Bible to provide a summary through illustrations and narration. Very cool and helpful!

  10. Cynthia Ramain says:

    Terri, I 100% agree with you. I have been praying over this for weeks. I try not to get political in SRT but it’s very heard. I want to respect everyone’s view and listen…TRULY listen, but it’s SO hard when your heart is telling you what you believe to be right. God always prevails….and he will have a hand in this, I know it to be true. Thank you for your words and Gos bless all our SRT sisters❤️

  11. Sara Moore says:

    I have never really thought about associating the rope with the Passover of the death angel. So glad this detail was pointed out.

  12. Maddy Pearson says:

    Loved the reminder of what the scarlet rope symbolizes ❤️

  13. Angela Nelson says:

    Question – Is the affliction mentioned in verses 67 and 71 affliction due to wandering away from God’s commands/sin? Or do you think it’s referring to suffering a type affliction not necessarily as a consequence of sin?

    1. Lisa May says:

      Angela, I think it’s both. Within Psalm 119, we see the author guilty of sin and it’s repercussions. “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame…” (v. 5-6). In the current passage he seems to be experiencing affliction at the hands of others: “the insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.” (V. 69). God comforts us through His Word and His Spirit in all kinds of affliction. For further study, compare Psalm 51, which is David’s psalm of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba against Psalm 59, which is David’s cry to God when King Saul continued to attack him for no reason.

      1. Angela Nelson says:

        Thank you so much, Lisa!! I’ll definitely read through those other Psalms as well :)

  14. Lisa May says:

    Psalm 119 is such a gift to us as an example for ways to see how God’s word impacts our own lives. The psalmist appeals to God in verse 58 to “be gracious to me according to your promise.” Then in verse 65 he affirms “Lord, you have treated your servant well, just as you promised.” It calls me to take account of ways that God’s promises from Scripture have been fulfilled in my life.
    The psalmist also sees God’s character more clearly displayed as he learns His Word. Verse 64: “Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love; teach me your statutes.” Verse 68: “You are good, and you do what is good; teach me your statutes.” It calls me to learn more of God’s character by studying His word.
    The psalmist also has learned the value of trials and affliction, associating that growth with God’s word as well. Verse 67: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” Verse 71: “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I could learn your statutes.” It calls me to see my trials and affliction as an opportunity to draw closer to my Father in His Word. This growth in affliction is also affirmed by Paul In Romans 5—
    “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
    I am rejoicing in this Psalm for the continuing example of being a student of God’s word and then paying careful attention to the ways that impacts our growth in Christ.

  15. Ashley White says:

    Amen ❤️

  16. Sharon W says:

    Angie, I hear your request and I am praying for all the students, teachers, administrators and school boards that will be going back into the classrooms. I pray all will be encouraged and excited to be back with friends and class mates. I pray for students ready to learn how they can do something every day that really matters and makes others smile. I pray for kindness and goodness from every child toward others that are different. I pray for parents that are praying over their children, and their classmates and their teachers for a healthy and robust year. May we never have to look back on last spring’s disruption and tragedies, but to learn from them. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen. To God Be The Glory, For Ever.

    1. Angie Troyer says:

      Amen

  17. Sharon W says:

    Angie, I thank you for your reminder to pray for all the children, teachers and administrators will be back in the school class.

  18. Makenzie Benish says:

    I’m having trouble fitting the story of Rahab in with our reading from Psalm 119 other than the verses “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promises.” And “I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.” I have always loved the story of Rahab. Oh, to have such confidence! But I have a different kind of confidence than she had, a confidence that I am already marked safe with the scarlet cord of Christ’s blood.

  19. Chris Swan says:

    Prayers for Angie’s ankle and our upcoming school year.

  20. PamC says:

    Praising the Lord! Dave was given a miracle yesterday. One simple cyst and a tiny mass “of no consequence”. We bounced out of that doctor’s office singing praise. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

    1. Sara Morman says:

      God is so good! I am glad you got good news.

  21. Genia McCray says:

    God is FAITHFUL!

  22. Dorothy says:

    I don’t know why but the story of Rehab is one of my favorite. Maybe it’s because here is a gentile who because of all that she has heard believes in God. She didn’t grow up as a Jew but she ended up in the linage of Jesus Christ. Amazing how God can use various people for different purposes. I read (actually listen to on audio books) a series about the linage of Christ and it included Rehab. God’s love can change so much.
    Yesterday I went to the doctor about my hand (carpal tunnel), I will be having surgery on August 10 and have to be off work for a week. I am left-handed and it’s the left hand he will do. The doctor wants to do the right hand three to four weeks later and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Please pray for me sisters, for the up coming surgery and for the wisdom to know whether to do the second surgery so soon after.

    1. Tiffany Harkey says:

      Prayers for you, friend! Prayers for comfort your worries and a speedy recovery.

    2. Carolee M says:

      Praying for you!

  23. Angie says:

    JILL RUMMER and EMILY THOMSON – Keep on ladies. As you each shared I thought back to years ago when I was talking with one of the pastors at our church. He was sharing something from scripture I a said, “What about…” and gave him some examples. He looked at me sort of surprised and said, “How do you know that? I didn’t even remember those details.” I realized that it was from Bible Study Fellowship. All those years of diligently putting the word of God into my heart and mind through the power of the Holy Spirit had been building up and I didn’t even realize it. So, I would encourage you…you may not realize now but, you are building a foundation that God will use in your lives and the lives of your children and family. Keep it up!

    AMAR THEIN – Hooray that you were brave enough to try a post yesterday! Bless you sister!

    BETH – Thank you for sharing that all the different words (precepts, commands, etc.) are synonyms for God’s Word. I remember a time I was studying this privately and thought…so what is the difference…how do I know what is what. Simply synonyms for God’s Word – perfect!

    LISA MAY – Thank you! I loved your post!

    KAITLYN – Girl, we are so proud of you! God is so proud of you! Your peers do not know it but you are a spiritual superhero. High school is so hard and you are lifting them up before the Father. You are such a blessing!!!!

    LINDA J., JOY, and PAM C – praying for each of your family members and their diagnosis.

    LINDSAY C. – Thank you for yesterday’s post. I love how you do such a great job of putting things altogether. The Psalmist has learned and is now equipped to put into practice what God calls him/her too. Love that!

    ANGELA NELSON – May you be blessed this year as you teach Junior High. That is such a pivotal time for kiddos.

  24. Lindsay C. says:

    I love verse 64…“the earth is filled with His faithful love”. In the midst of the pandemic, racial tensions, and our own personal sufferings- it can all seem too much. It can be hard to focus on the good that still surrounds me. If I raise my gaze and look around I will see evidence of His faithful love everywhere. May I be like Rahab and cling to His promises in the midst of the uncertainty and chaos around me. May I be confident in God’s goodness in my sufferings as they make me more like Christ. His portion is enough.

  25. Terri says:

    Women of God I am calling you to prayer for what is happening in Portland and other cities all over the country. What you see in the media is staged. Pray for truth and justice to prevail. Encourage others to do the same. If not us then who will stand. Ephesians 6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

  26. Angie says:

    (Deuteronomy passage)
    LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. This is our heart message. This is the message we want to pass down through the generations to family and friends. This is the message we need to have on our lips, in our mind, before our eyes, and symbolized by our life. This is the message we put on unending “repeat.”

    (Joshua passage)
    It occurred to me today that because Rahab was a prostitute, and all that represented…the king’s men may have believed her more readily than someone who was always known for being “good.” Because she was a prostitute, the scarlet cord from her window would not have been questioned…I’ve read that it would have been thought to be a marker for travelers coming into the city to mark her profession (much like a red light). Rahab tells the men what they have heard about the power of God and makes a declaration: “…for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.”
    I even thought about how she was more familiar with the land and the patterns of the king, therefore better able to give them a successful plan of escape. ONLY GOD could take a prostitute’s life and use it for good. ONLY GOD could take the symbol of scarlet cord and turn it from evil to the passover reminder and the future symbol of the blood of Jesus to cover all sin. ONLY GOD, can we trust to take each and every part of our lives…from the details to the large events and use them for good. ONLY our GOD. WOW!

    (Psalm verses)
    The earlier readings in the Psalm remind me of when I face struggles early on…I remind myself of WHO GOD is and His goodness, while giving myself little pep talks of…because of God…I am trusting, I am able to, I will…

    The verses today remind me of further into the struggle. I’m no longer just reminding myself, whether things have improved or not, I know-because I know-that I know; He is faithful. I’m fully focused on Him. I am thankful to Him. I am trusting the affliction will be used for good.

    I saved this for last because I am somewhere between the first sections of the Psalm reading the those read today. The last 2 years or so have had an unusual amount of affliction for my husband and me. Without a doubt we declare God’s care and goodness in the guiding before, during, and following every single event. Regardless of the challenges, we are blessed, period, ALL and ONLY because of our GOD. Because I believe fully in the power of God’s praying people, I ask for prayer in a couple ways:

    1) School starts in 2-3 weeks. Monday I spent a day in meetings and in the classroom. My broken ankle did not handle it well. There are 45 steps to get to my room on the 3rd floor and no elevator. All the places the children need to travel to in our building (that I travel with them) are down those stairs and at the opposite end of the building. On an average day I can do those stairs 10-16 times (per my fitbit). My foot needs to heal much, much more for me to be able to handle it. The single day on Monday, literally left me exhausted, swollen, and hobbling for two days. Today is still sore but much better. So I pray for healing and help. God is in the details, I will trust Him.

    2)These additional struggles in our lives could be to teach us something…or attacks because we are faithfully following Jesus. The story of Rahab reminds me that either way, God turns the toughest, seemingly most ugly stuff into beauty when we declare Him LORD and trust. My request is that whatever we need to learn, we will learn well, and if we are being attacked…we will remain faithful witnesses to the world for our LORD, Jesus Christ.

    For those of you who are willing and able, will you please pray with me. I thank you and the LORD in advance for you and His answers.

    1. AnneLyn P says:

      Praying for you, Angie.

  27. Erin B says:

    I can’t help but thinking how much pressure Rahab would have felt in our Big Media culture. Her secret kept quiet, but all the while hearing people talk about safety measures, impending doom, and what they had “heard” about traitors, Israelites and such— while all the while
    having to keep quiet about what she knew was true in her heart. Sometimes God calls us to speak, and sometimes he calls us to keep quiet truth in our hearts when our culture is pursuing evil. Cast not Pearls before Swine, I guess. I admire her faithfulness and conviction.

  28. NanaK says:

    Karen: thank you for sharing. My version uses the word “afflicted “ in place of “humbled” and although that was meaningful to me, “humbled “ really hit home.
    I was also struck by our highlighted verse today from Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “ …(7) Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
    The bottom line? Do others see JESUS in me? Through my words and actions? Through the time and money I spend, is it evident that JESUS and bringing others into the Kingdom is my priority?!
    LORD, I pray that you will provide wisdom and guidance to the doctors working with Linda J’s son and grant complete healing to him. FATHER, forgive me for the times I am not intention in sharing your words with my children, in my home, and with others throughout my day. I pray that my thoughts words and actions will reflect my love for You today.

  29. Rachel Kelley says:

    I love how we can cling to God’s promises and his Word and, since they do not change, delight in them!

  30. Kristen says:

    As Maura said, God’s Word she be treasured. I heard about Christian converts that don’t have access to a whole Bible. If they have a page, they cling to it and read the words over and over. I think I heard they share with each other secretly. Many people here have multi copies of the Bible that are opened. May we remember how valuable His Word is and remember that the Bible is a gift, life giving, the Sword of the Spirit, sharper than any double edged sword, and used to teach us. There is so much more! I found a site that have 52 Scriptures about the Word of God!
    https://dailyverses.net/the-word
    Also, I was thinking about this teaching when I read Karen’s comment about pride and humility. This is by Tim Keller and it is called, Haughty Eyes. Pride is such a dangerous thing. Some prideful ways we might not even recognize. In agreement with both of these ladies with their prayers for us to treasure the Word and be humble. Here is the link to the teaching. Both are worth checking out! I have passed this sermon on before, and others agreed.
    https://lnns.co/H1purX7mcB0

  31. Dayna R says:

    Linda J – praying for your precious son today. He is precious to God too. May you all be filled with His peace today as you wait for a diagnosis. Praying for some good news for you today.

  32. Angela Sutherland says:

    Reading verses 59-60 of Psalm 119 again after reading the account of Rahman, I can see her in those words. It’s so easy to see it all from my perspective here in my rocking chair, with my coffee, reading these accounts. But then I think “what would I have done in Rahab’s position?” Would I have had the courage and faith in a God I didn’t know but only heard about? When I think about the details beyond just what we are presented with, it makes me marvel at God’s goodness and the scope of His plan for redemption. And how he pointed to it, time and again, like with the scarlet rope in this story. The Word of God is so rich and intricate!

    1. Jennifer Sanders says:

      I love this idea— to reread the verses from the perspective of Rahab! It came alive for me so much more when I read it in this way. Thank you!

  33. Linda J says:

    Please pray for my son today. He is having health issues and testing to determine diagnosis this morning. He’s raising three children and is of course so precious to us.

    1. Savannah Brasells says:

      Praying for your son now!

    2. Mari V says:

      Praying now Linda

  34. Lisa Mcnew says:

    Love this imagery and truth. All scripture is vital to knowing Him truly.

  35. Eryn Murray says:

    Loved the scripture image today. The Lord is my portion-meaning he is more than enough. Very random question for y’all. So Rahab protected the men from getting killed by fibbing to the officers. I would call it protection cuz hey were covered but did any of y’all have a discussion when it comes to ‘protecting God’s anointed’? I think it would be a good discussion and would love to be enlightened.

  36. Maura says:

    This truth struck me today, Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Indeed the riches of His instructions, his Word what a gift we are given in scripture. Lord, show us the wealth we have in your word. Help me to speak my faith and dwell in your word and understand keep your statutes by the grace of Jesus.

  37. Karen says:

    The word that stood out to me today in Psalm 119 is “humbled” from verses 67 and 71. When I am not humble, I go astray and I am arrogant. Humility is hard. I want to be right. So often I put my trust in myself, rather than humble myself before the Lord. Oh Lord, give me a humble heart; make me humble when I am not.

    1. Christina Fowlkes says:

      Yes Lord, give me a humble heart. I echo this prayer. Amen

    2. Traci Gendron says:

      I also pray for a humble heart ❤️

  38. Lizzie says:

    Psalm 119-“Lord, you have treated your servant well,
    just as you promised.”
    Simple, but so hard to remember. Trust in His sovereignty, He keeps His promises and declares you righteous by faith in Him alone.
    “The good news shows how God makes people right with himself. From beginning to end, becoming right with God depends on a person’s faith. It is written, “Those who are right with God will live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NIRV‬‬
    http://bible.us/110/rom.1.17.nirv

  39. Paula White says:

    What a beautiful picture for today- to know that we marked safe by God!

  40. Churchmouse says:

    The psalmist in these verses is steadfast. Though he has himself erred and wandered from God, though the wicked and arrogant have harassed and slandered him, he continues to turn to the Lord and trust in His precepts. He remains firm in following God’s command. He treasures the Word in His heart regardless of his circumstance or opposition. He values God’s promises. He recounts the goodness of God. We are called to be people of the Book. May we follow the example of the psalmist. May we hold the Word in highest regard by steadfastly living according to it. So help us, God.

    1. Jennifer Martin says:

      ♥️

  41. Blessed Beth says:

    If only we would remember that nothing is an accident everything leads us to Heaven. God loves us so much that He gave His best, His son, the ultimate sacrifice, for all of us, and would of done it even for one. What an amazing God we have, sometimes it is hard for me to take it all in.