Daily Devotional: Day 42
“Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way” (James 2:25, KJV).
When the name Rahab is mentioned, it’s often associated with prostitution. But surprisingly, the Letter of James (2:25) and the Letter to the Hebrews (11:31) present Rahab as a model of faith and righteousness. In the Bible, only James and Hebrews associate her with faith and righteousness. How Rahab moved from a prostitute to a model of faith is astonishing. James cites her life as an example of how faith produces corresponding works. Rahab was from Jericho. Like her fellow countrymen, she had heard stories of the mighty deeds of the God of Israel. However, unlike everyone else, she believed in her heart that Israel’s God was the true God worthy of worship. While her countrymen remained afraid and defiant, she put her trust in the God of Israel and surrendered to him. She was, therefore, prepared to leave behind her profession, her homeland, her friends and any gods she may have previously served, to follow Israel to the Promised Land. She subsequently made a deal with the two Israelite spies, that she and her relatives would be spared when Israel came against Jericho (You can read the full account in Joshua chapters 2 and 6). For what Rahab did, the New Testament presents her to Christians as a model of faith and righteousness. Incredible story!
We can draw many lessons from Rahab, but let’s focus on only the following: Her history as a prostitute left her with little to no moral credibility. But, she didn’t let this become an obstacle. She looked past her bad record and saw a future with Israel’s God. With the eyes of faith, she embraced God’s love, forgiveness and protection. By faith, she bid farewell to the old Rahab and welcomed the new Rahab. Fearless, she marched into her new life, free from the bondage of sin, fear and shame. This tells us that your history doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. By faith, go ahead and close certain chapters in your life. Stop worrying about what has happened. You can’t change the past, but you can change what happens from this point. Learn your lessons and look ahead. Lift up your eyes of faith and see a new you in Christ: forgiven, accepted, transformed and restored. In Christ, the Father has opened a new door for you. Walk through it and never look back.
Pray:
Daddy, thank you for the gift of a new life. In Christ, you’ve made me a new creation. I embrace this new life and all the blessings that come with it: freedom from sin, fear and shame; and power to live for righteousness. Thank you for this life. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
For further study: Luke 19:1-10
Higher-Self Realities 