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MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: RAHAB

Obedience - Faith in Action

WARM-UP

"By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. -"-Hebrews 11:31 (NASB20)

ON THE PITCH

Sometimes, I have trouble remembering that people in the Bible were not extra special people with superpowers. I have trouble remembering that they were people just like you and me. The story of Rahab reminds me that God has always used ordinary, messy people who were willing to have faith and obey Him.

Rahab was an extra messy gal. She was not an Israelite, so she didn’t grow up worshipping God. Instead, she would have grown up worshipping multiple gods. The Bible tells us in different places that Rahab was a prostitute. She lived in a town called Jericho, part of the land God promised to the Israelites. God was delivering these towns into the hands of His people, and Rahab, along with her people, had heard this and were terrified. They had heard how God was working in extravagant ways to part the Red Sea and destroy their enemies to provide for His people, just as He said He would.

But for Rahab, the stories she had heard did more than terrify her. She had heard the stories of the Lord and, in turn, believed that the God of the Israelites was the one true God. This God, He was supreme. He was real. He was Truth. And because of this new belief, when Israelites came knocking on her door one night, she was prepared to answer God’s divine call. She was ready to put her faith into action and obey. She opened the door to her home and allowed two Israelite spies to enter it, providing them with safety so that they could prepare a strategy for their battle with Jericho.

Because of her faith and obedience, Rahab and her entire household were kept safe when the Israelites came back to battle Jericho. After the battle, they became part of the Israelite camp because she and her family loved, served, and obeyed the same God as those in the camp.

God revealed Himself to this ordinary, messy prostitute and used her faith in this bold moment to save His people. When the moment came, Rahab couldn’t help but act. She knew what the Lord had done and had to respond. Because of her bold faith and obedience, her impact wouldn’t stop there. Her legacy would last well beyond her life as she would be part of Jesus’ family tree (Matthew 1).

The Lord has already prepared you for the moment that you are in. Maybe you already know that. Maybe you don’t. Regardless, He has made you for this moment. Now, He has called you to obey. It’s time to put your faith into action!

How has God clearly shown Himself to you? Because of what you have seen, how does God want you to be bold with your obedience at this moment?

EXTRA TIME

Joshua 2:1-21; Joshua 6:17-25

PRAYER

God, You choose to use people every day, just like me, to accomplish good works for Your glory. You reveal Yourself along the way, and I don’t want to miss any of who You are. Help me to have eyes to see more of You. Allow me to see Your character and love so I can act boldly in faith and obedience in Your name. Amen.