Are you willing to risk it ALL??? Risking everything can bring bigger rewards than you could imagine!!! It can redeem the seemingly unredeemable & save an entire family. There is historical proof. Where you ask?? I'm talking about
In this story of Jericho often it is focused on the great victory of the walls falling down that The Most High gave to Joshua and the children of Israel. The story I want to focus on today tho is that of Rahab. She is often referred to as Rahab the Harlot. A constant reminder of her sin and crimes. What if you were forever called by your sin?? What would your name become? Jane the rebellious. Sally the addict. Mary the prostitute? Something to consider. The power of what Christs sacrifice and opportunity for forgiveness has done for us.
Hebrews 11:31
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
James 2:25
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Back to the story. So here she is a harlot. Living on the wall of the city. Surrounded by paganism and practicing idolatry. When the spies show up she has heard the tails of the God of the Israelites and how he fights for them. She was smart enough not to mess with that God. So to preserve her life she risked EVERYTHING. She was betraying her nation. Breaking the laws of her people. Doing what no one else would. In return??? Well if you read the whole story she was saved along with her family. Given life and protection and the opportunity to serve this God who had just destroyed everything around them. Do you think they were full of awe? Their idols had never shown them such power or might.
Joshua 2:1 And
Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly,
saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an
harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.2 And
it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in
hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.3 And
the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that
are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come
to search out all the country.4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:5 And it came to pass about the time
of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out:
whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall
overtake them.6 But
she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the
stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.7 And
the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as
soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;9 And
she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land,
and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of
the land faint because of you.10 For
we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you,
when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the
Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.12 Now
therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed
you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house,
and give me a true token:13 And that
ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my
sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.14 And
the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our
business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we
will deal kindly and truly with thee.15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.16 And
she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet
you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be
returned: and afterward may ye go your way.17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.18 Behold, when
we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in
the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy
father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's
household, home unto thee.19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Joshua 6:17And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
So when you feel that you have fallen to far. Or then devil tries to bring up your past think of Rahab. After all, she ended up being listed in Messiahs lineage. The Most High picks. The Most High Calls. If he has called you out of darkness it is time to stand!! Time to Train. Become disciplined. Study. Pray, Worship. Press IN!! Now is the time. Get your sense of urgency back!
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