“So, the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.”      Joshua 2:7

We are coming to the end of 2020 and we should choose to make up in your mind that we will not allow any of the drama or trauma that plagued us this year, to follow us over into our new year!

In this small portion of scripture, we find the story of Rahab who hid the spies that Joshua sent to scout out the land in Jericho. The Spies knew the enemy was after them as they entered the city, so they went to Rahab, a prostitute, and she took them to the roof of her house and hid them from their enemies. 

This woman reminds us that it doesn’t matter who you are, God can use you in the kingdom. Many times, we miss our blessings because we overlook people that God has chosen to be a blessing to our life. Rahab was just what these spies needed to help them, protect them, and assist them in accomplishing their mission. 

Though the spies were hidden on the roof with stalks of flax, the enemy didn’t stop pursuing after them, but it didn’t matter because when Rahab convinced them to pursue the spies outside the gates of the city, they shut the gate. 

This year for most of us, let’s just say, has been terrible! Terrible sickness, terrible relationships, terrible finances, terrible job situation, just terrible. Through these terrible times the enemy has been in hot pursuit to steal, kill, and destroy every area of your life. 

But we serve a God that sits high and looks low. And God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7. So, as we step into our new year, I encourage you to shut the gate. 

There’s some stuff you let in that you shouldn’t have let in, Shut the Gate!

There’re some people pursuing you that don’t have good intentions, Shut the Gate!

There’re some thoughts that have you on an emotional roller coaster, Shut the Gate!

Whatever, is trying to come in and destroy what God has given you, don’t leave the gate open, Shut the Gate! You’ve got a family to protect. You’ve got a charge to keep. You’ve got a name to uphold. You’ve got a God to glorify. Shut the Gate.

Richard D. Hayes, is the Pastor of New Day Community Church and the President of the United Ministerial Alliance.