The two Israelite spies weren’t looking for a spiritual encounter when they slipped into Jericho under cover of darkness. They had a military mission: gather intelligence and return with actionable information. Yet God had orchestrated something far greater than reconnaissance. He had arranged a divine appointment with the most unlikely candidate for salvation in the entire city.
Sometimes we get so focused on our plans and purposes that we miss God’s deeper work happening around us. We think we’re on a business trip, but God is setting up a ministry opportunity. We believe we’re just moving to a new neighborhood, but God is positioning us to reach specific people. We assume we’re simply facing a difficult circumstance, but God is preparing us to minister to others who will face similar trials.
The spies thought they needed information about Jericho’s defenses. What they really needed was to witness God’s grace in action. They came seeking military intelligence; they left having seen the power of the Gospel to transform hearts. Sometimes God’s greatest work happens when we’re busy doing something else entirely.