By Faith: Considered Righteous
Scripture Reading — Joshua 2:1-21
By faith the prostitute Rahab … welcomed the spies … [and] was not killed …
Hebrews 11:31
Given Rahab’s occupation, it’s no surprise that she lived on the outer edge of the community.
But God can see deeper into human hearts and minds than we can. God knew that what Rahab had seen and heard about the people of Israel had moved her heart to believe in him. “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below,” she said.
Rahab’s conviction that God was on the side of the Israelites gave her boldness and courage to protect the lives of the spies. She did this against the orders of Jericho’s king. She sent the king’s soldiers on a wild goose chase with her lies. It could be argued that she committed high treason against the king of Jericho and her own people.
But it is clear that in God’s eyes Rahab was not guilty. We should always betray sin.
James has it right when he says that “Rahab the prostitute [was] considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction” (James 2:25).
From God’s perspective, people who side with him can never go wrong. This is evidenced in Rahab and her family’s salvation. In fact, Rahab even became one of Jesus’ great-great-grandmothers (Matthew 1:5). God makes room among his people for all who honor him.
Father, help us always to side with you and your people, no matter what others may ask us to say or do. Mark us with the blood of Jesus as the seal of our salvation. Amen.
About the author — Gordon Pols
Rev. Gordon Pols and his wife, Ann, have two married children and two grandchildren. After serving four congregations in Western and Central Canada, Rev. Pols retired from active ministry in 2007. He is currently doing parttime pastoral work with West End Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton, Alberta. He also works parttime for Crossroad Bible Institute, promoting a Bible study correspondence course for prison inmates.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!