I find role models in the strangest people…

I know I may have some strange role models, but I just love this woman. Let me tell you a bit about her first. Now in the beginning she was from a shady back ground, and I don’t think she minds me telling you she was a prostitute way back when. In order to live and have food on the table, she sold her body for money. Now the Lord has been allowing her ancestors and her family to live in the land of milk and honey. They were prosperous in whatever they did. But as she was growing up she heard a rumor of something that was to come, no one around her believed the rumor. Maybe you have met her, her name is Rahab. Now just the name Rahab means insolence or fierceness. It almost seemed she was doomed from the beginning.

The rumor she heard was that the Lord was going to give her land to a group called the Israelites, and these Israelites were “God’s chosen people.” The men in position did not believe this rumor and throughout their days did not believe in God. They heard this rumor for over 40 years.

What is so special about Rahab you ask? Well I can relate to her in the sense that each of our sins were great. No I did not sell my body, but I put a man on the cross who died for me because of the sins I commit. Let me show you how Rahab reacted once faced with the Truth, and why I like her so much.

First Rahab HEARD the word of God.

Joshua 2:10 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 beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

That is no different then anyone else around her, they all heard the same story. But Rahab took it one step further, she BELIEVED

She said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. Joshua 2:9

Everyone around her had no intention of giving up their land. But Rahab knew it was not their land to keep, she believe the rumor. Once she believed, she wanted to be on God’s side.

So thirdly, she ACTED on her faith…

a] she protected the spies (JOS 2:4,6).

b] she risked her life (JOS 2:4-6).

c] she helped them escape (JOS 2:15,16).

There was no mention of past sins interfering with helping God’s people, God accepted her right there where she was. She heard the word of God, then she believed what she heard (even when everyone around her did not believe), and then once she was a believer she acted upon it. By doing this and believing in God, she was turning away from her own heritage, and everything she knew. And no only was Rahab saved but her whole family.

Oh sweet sister, there are too many lessons in just this one story to list in one day. But most importantly, no matter what you have done God will pour his grace and mercy on you, no questions asked and accept you right where you stand.

No only did Rahab make it possible for the Israelites to take possession of the promise land, but she made it into the Hall of Faith. That is how much God loved her and had a tender heart for her.

“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”—Hebrews 11:31

I leave you with the great words of C. H. Spurgeon who spoke of this in 1857:

“Poor sinner! take comfort. The same faith which saved Rahab can save thee. Art thou literally one of Rahab’s sisters in guilt? She was saved, and so mayest thou be, if God shall grant thee repentance. Woman! art thou loathsome to thyself? Dost thou stand at this moment in this assembly, and say, “I am ashamed to be here; I know I have no right to stand among people who are chaste and honest?” I bid thee still remain; yea, come again and make this thy Sabbath house of prayer. Thou art no intruder! Thou art welcome! For thou hast a sacred right to the courts of mercy. Thou hast a sacred right; for here sinners are invited,…”

Father, Praise be to your son Jesus Christ for making is possibly to come before you. Thank you that no matter what we have done, or what has been done to us, that these sins can not keep us from coming to you. For when we coming to you believing, you open your arm out wide and accept us right where we are, dirty and everything. Thank you telling us about your sweet daughter Rahab, and giving us an example of your saving power. Amen.

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