God Has The Last Word
"We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed."1
Rahab, a prostitute from the enemy nation of Jericho, had faith that the Lord would save her family from the attack of the Israelites. We are not told why she decided to protect the men of Israel and trust God. Perhaps Rahab herself did not even know why she risked defying the king on behalf of two strangers.
What we do know is that by trusting in God's protection, Rahab was included in the history of God's people. The Lord did not take Rahab's sin into account, but forgave her entire family and saved her history.
Ultimately, Rahab chose God's way over her own culture and livelihood, risking her life. When the city and its walls fell, she joined the family of Israel and was given a new home. Faith changed the trajectory of her life, and she is listed as one of the women in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the same way, faith in God invites renewal and change in our own lives. It is not our sin that the Lord ultimately considers, but our faith. Rahab's story reminds us that we don't have to be perfect for God to use us. No matter what we've done, He can restore our broken past and turn it into a grace-filled future.
Suggested Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I thank you that you are a God of second chances. In today's passage you show us that you do not take into account our past sins if we repent and trust you as our Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord, that you give us new life when we choose you above all else. I ask you to increase my faith to renew and make changes in my own life. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
1. Joshua 2:10.
Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.