Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual
enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more
inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.
Heluhelu Baibala
Ma
ona lā hoʻi i loaʻa mai ai iā kākou ka hoʻokipa ʻia ma ka manaʻoʻiʻo, i
loko o kēia hoʻopōmaikaʻi ʻia, kahi e kū nei kākou, a e hauʻoli hoʻi me
ka manaʻolana i ka nani o ke Akua. ʻAʻole ia wale nō, ke hauʻoli nei nō
hoʻi kākou i nā pōpilikia; ke ʻike nei, e hana ana ka pōpilikia i ke
ahonui; A ʻo ke ahonui i ka hoʻāʻo ʻana; a ʻo ka hoʻāʻo ʻana i ka
manaʻolana: A ʻo ua manaʻolana lā ʻaʻole ia i hoʻohilahila; no ka mea,
ua ninini ʻia mai ke aloha i ke Akua i loko o ko kākou mau naʻau e ka
ʻUhane Hemolele, i hāʻawi ʻia mai iā kākou. – Roma 5:2-5
…through
whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in
which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not
only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that
tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven
character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through
the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5:2-5
He manaʻo o ke kahu
There
can be times in our lives when we face extreme anguish and we don’t
know where to turn to. Things seem to be hopeless, and we don’t have the
strength or the capacity to continue. That describes Rahab and her
situation in life. She was a prostitute who was living in Jericho.
Joshua had just taken over as leader of Israel and was setting out to
take control of the land that God had promised to them, including
Jericho. He sent spies out to check out the state of the enemy. When the
spies reached the city, they went to Rahab’s home to seek shelter. The
king heard about this and sent his men to demand the spies be brought
out, Instead, she hid them and deceived her own people by saying the
spies had fled to another area.
When the soldiers of Jericho left,
she told the spies of her fear of the Israelite army, “I know that the
Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on
us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have despaired because of
you… When we heard these reports, our hearts melted and no courage
remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He
is God in heaven above and on earth below.” Life seemed desperate so she
reached out, pleading for help, to be spared. The spies told her, “Our
life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall
come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and
faithfully with you…when we come into the land, you tie this cord of
scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather
into your house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your
father’s household.”
Rahab’s hope lay in that red cord. Per
Christian author Mike Bennett, the word cord is from the Hebrew word
tiqva, which is most often translated in its figurative sense as “hope”
and “expectation.” Hope gives the weak a reprieve. It enables life to
begin anew. Hope means a new beginning and great expectations. The
writer of Romans noted that challenges preceded hope. Once we get
through those difficulties, we see that hope does not disappoint us.
Such was Rahab’s dream, to be able to find a hope and a future, not just
for herself but also the members of her family. May you be able to stay
strong, knowing that on the other side of difficulties is hope. Don’t
despair and put out your red cord. Let God help get you through the
valleys of life, so you may ascend his hill and rest by his side.
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