A Journey Of Redemption

Joshua 2:9; 12-13 “...I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us… 12 …Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my father’s family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.” ~CSB

Rahab was a woman who was a prostitute. She had a history that people around her may have talked about in front of her as well as behind her back. Although in life we may take the wrong paths, God will still use us when we recognize who He is. In the second chapter of Joshua, Joshua sent two spies into the land God promised them. This land was ruled by a king who did not want to give up this land so easily.  The spies met Rahab and she hid them in her home.

She recognized them as God’s people. She saw God’s presence in them. So much so that when the King sent his men to apprehend the spies, Rahab covered for them. She not only kept the spies safe in her home, she sent the king’s men on a ‘wild goose chase’. Sending them in a pursuit in the wrong direction. This took courage on Rahab’s part to give false information to a sitting king. She risked her life because she was more afraid of God than the king. 

In her plea to the spies she acknowledged that everyone knew who they were. They all knew that God was with them and the land she lived in would be conquered by them. She simply asked that when they come and take the city, can they spare her family and all attached to them. The spies did just that. So, what does this mean to us?

It doesn’t matter what we think we may be guilty of in our lives. We must understand that we serve a God that loves us. He has forgiven us no matter our past. This holds true as long as we embrace what we know about God and what we do with His love for us. Rahab wanted the men to succeed with God’s plan and wanted to do her part in that plan.

And because of her actions, God blessed Rahab in spite of her past. Not only did He allow for her and her family to be saved that day, He also made Rahab an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Give your life to Christ and begin your journey to redemption and purpose. God loves you and His power is great enough to turn your ‘mess’ into His ‘message’ for your life. 

Amen