Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

RAHAB'S FAITH

This entry was posted on 03-25-2009 and is filed under FAITH.

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient" (Heb. 11:31 NIV).

Faith is not for the fainthearted. Read the account of Rahab's daring actions in Joshua 2. The woman of scarlet (is there some irony here in the scarlet thread?) is forever enshrined in God's Hall of Faith/Fame because of her bold faith. She and her household were the lone survivors of the fall of Jericho. "But Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho" (Joshua 6:25 NIV). Rahab, Sarah, and Jochebed (Moses' mother) are the only women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.

Have you done something really bad in your life? Have you been a really "bad person"? Actually, all of us have for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). But God can still use our faith to His glory. We might not be a prostitute - or have sought out a prostitute - but even if we have we can change. God took this pagan woman and accomplished something great through her faith and for His glory. I believe she lived the rest of her days in Israel not as a prostitute but as a pure woman for God. I believe this incident changed her life forever. God continued to use the faith of this remarkable Rahab. Look at the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1. Who do you discover in verse 5? Rahab! An ancestress of Christ! Then go to James 2:25. "Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" Only faith can consider a prostitute as "righteous." Faith makes the difference.

Prayer: Holy Father, we thank You for including this woman's story in Your Holy Word. May her daring faith challenge us today to always trust You even when the risks are high. Through Christ we pray.