Rahab, part 1 -- An example of faith

Day 79

OT Reading: Joshua 1-3

NT Reading: Luke 1:57-80

For those of us thousands of years removed, and knowing how the rest of the story goes, Rahab's choice is simple. We tell Rahab, "Trust in God...that's how things turn out well for you." But Rahab didn't have the luxury of reading her own story in a nice leather-bound best-seller. Rahab had to make a choice...one that could not have been easy.

On one hand Jericho was home to Rahab. She lived there, worked there and her family was there. And if the Israelites succeeded in their attempt to overtake Jericho, it is quite likely that all her friends, neighbors, most everyone she knew...would be killed.

But she had heard about what the God of these Israelites had done. She had heard about how he parted the Red Sea, she had heard about different nations that had been overthrown. She had heard a great deal about Israel and their God, even though she did know him. If she helps their spies and they succeed, she and her family will live. But if she's discovered...or if Israel's conquest of this fortified city fails, she'll likely be executed.

Ultimately (as you'll read) Rahab chooses to trust in the God of Israel, even though she did not know him. And while she could not read the rest of the story, she had faith that by following and being obedient to Him, things would ultimately work out.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Funny thing...we like all the details worked out and the risk removed from any action that we might take. Yet, we see faith acting in just the opposite way. Even though, like Rahab, we don't know how things are going to turn out, we simply trust that God will accomplish what is best.

So ask yourself, when was the last time you made a decision, not based on having a fool-proof plan or completely secure logic, but based on the fact that you will trust God even when you have no idea how things will turn out?