God has proven through my life and through many others, that He can take the most broken, rejected wreckage of humanity and create a powerful life. The story of Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho, is a great illustration!
Rahab lived in a home on the thick, strongly fortified wall of Jericho during the time when Israel was in the process of taking over the land God had promised Abraham. The rumors were flying that the city was about to be destroyed by the Israelites. The people of Jericho had heard how the Israelite God had miraculously destroyed their enemies and they knew they were the next target. Rahab believed so much in the power of God, she was willing to risk her life and commit treason against her own country. When the Israeli spies came to Jericho, she hid them. As she was helping them escape, she said to them:
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.
For 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 the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
Joshua 2:9-13
Even though Rahab had been a prostitute, her new found faith in God was astounding. God rewarded her. After He gave Israel the miraculous victory, one of the spies, named Simone, whom Rahab had hidden—married her. She became the great-great grandmother of King David, and was included in the lineage of Christ. (Matthew 1:5) Furthermore, she is honored to be one of only two women mentioned in the great Hall of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11.
If you had known her when she was a prostitute would you have ever thought she would be in the royal lineage of Christ?
It is doubtful many of us would have seen the future that God saw in her. We are often too blinded by judging hearts to imagine the kind of amazing future God has planned for the people around us. Without the vision of the Holy Spirit, we are incapable of grasping the potential of those we judge as being irredeemable. But when we have a deep appreciation for the grace WE have received, God drops the scales of judgment from our eyes and we see people like HE does. Rahab’s wrecked life was made extraordinary, beautiful, honorable and powerful by—the grace of God. So has mine. Anyone who has become His child by receiving His free gift of salvation, can enter into His Divine plan! He has so many blessings planned for us!
May the Holy Spirit fill us with the full knowledge of His grace so we may see the vision God has for those around us!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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6 Responses
Thank you so much for today’s lesson on how God look beyond my faults and apply my needs. Yes I know that my Redeemer lives because I can shout with a loud voice JesusThe Christ has changed and Bless me with Everlasting Life
Amen!
I really like this article. I really try not to judge others, because I will be judged by the same measure by which I judge, but there is one person that I have been feeling is beyond hope. Your article helped me realize that God can perform a great work through her. There’s something missing in my perspective, God’s view of her. Thank you for opening my eyes, & ears, so that I can see her through God’s Eyes.
God’s view is the best view…blessings to you!
Amen, my life is a mess. I need Jesus to step in and me get out of the way, please pray for me wisdom, strength and peace.
Sure will!