Faith Triumphs Over Our Past
Faith Triumphs Over Our Past: The Story of Rahab
Have you ever wondered if your past disqualifies you from God's plan? The story of Rahab the harlot shows us that no matter what we've done or where we've been, faith can triumph over our past and place us directly in God's purposes.
What Does It Mean to Live by Faith?
Living by faith isn't just about saying the right words or following religious rules. Real faith produces action in the life of the believer that brings glory to God. If your life doesn't bring glory to God, you might be living by rules and regulations that help you feel in control, but you're not truly living by faith.
Faith takes everything out of our control. It's in those dark moments when we don't know what God is going to do - we just know what He wants us to do - that faith shines brightest. Sometimes we take that step of faith and it gets darker, then we take another step and it gets even darker. But if we just hold on, we don't know when that next step will bring God's peace right in the middle of life's storms.
Who Was Rahab and Why Does Her Story Matter?
Rahab was a Gentile prostitute living in Jericho when the Israelites came to claim the Promised Land. Her story is found in Hebrews 11:31: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
When two Israelite spies came to her house seeking refuge, Rahab had a choice to make. She could turn them away to avoid trouble with the authorities, or she could risk everything to help them. Most of us, if we're honest, would probably choose the safe route and say "I don't need trouble with the law."
How Did Rahab's Faith Develop?
Rahab's faith came from hearing stories about what God had done for the Israelites. She heard about the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and how Yahweh had delivered His people from 400 years of bondage. These stories probably sounded outlandish and made up to many people.
But here's what happens when God's word reaches a broken heart that needs to be made whole: that person starts to cling to what God is doing. When you're broken and need something, and God knows you need something, those "tall tales" of a great God start pouring into your heart. The word of God comes into a heart that needs healing, and faith begins to grow.
What Made Rahab's Faith So Remarkable?
She Acted on What She Heard
Rahab didn't just listen to the stories - she acted on them. When the police came looking for the spies, she hid them and helped them escape through her window.
She Trusted in God's Promise
The spies made a deal with her: "If you'll hide us, then God will save you from the destruction." Rahab took God at His word, even though she had never seen Him work before.
She Was Rewarded for Her Faith
When the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, every stone fell except for one place - where Rahab's house was built into the wall. God held her section together while He brought down everything else around her.
Why Is Sharing Our Faith Stories Important?
Rahab's faith came from hearing what God had done for others. You don't know whose house you're going to step into, whose life you're going to encounter, or what situation you're going to face. You don't know what God has prepared in every aspect of that person's life before you arrive and say, "Let me tell you who God is to me."
Our faith can become someone else's faith if we'll just let our faith be known. When Jesus encountered the faith of a Roman centurion, He made sure to let His own people know how He was moved by that Gentile's faith. Faith isn't limited to those who grew up in the church - it's available to anyone who will believe.
What Can We Learn from Rahab's Transformation?
God does things in ways that seem weird to us. He uses whoever is willing to let Him use them. Rahab went from being a Gentile prostitute to being placed in the lineage of our Savior. The devil cannot mess up God's plans, although he won't stop trying.
It's one thing to have faith in a God you've grown up with and become familiar with. When you're familiar with God, you might take His power and presence for granted. But Rahab's faith moved God so much that He performed a miracle to save her - holding her wall together while destroying everything else.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to share what God has done in your life with someone who needs to hear it. You might think your story isn't that impressive, but you don't know whose broken heart needs to hear exactly what God has done for you.
Ask yourself these questions:
Have you ever wondered if your past disqualifies you from God's plan? The story of Rahab the harlot shows us that no matter what we've done or where we've been, faith can triumph over our past and place us directly in God's purposes.
What Does It Mean to Live by Faith?
Living by faith isn't just about saying the right words or following religious rules. Real faith produces action in the life of the believer that brings glory to God. If your life doesn't bring glory to God, you might be living by rules and regulations that help you feel in control, but you're not truly living by faith.
Faith takes everything out of our control. It's in those dark moments when we don't know what God is going to do - we just know what He wants us to do - that faith shines brightest. Sometimes we take that step of faith and it gets darker, then we take another step and it gets even darker. But if we just hold on, we don't know when that next step will bring God's peace right in the middle of life's storms.
Who Was Rahab and Why Does Her Story Matter?
Rahab was a Gentile prostitute living in Jericho when the Israelites came to claim the Promised Land. Her story is found in Hebrews 11:31: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
When two Israelite spies came to her house seeking refuge, Rahab had a choice to make. She could turn them away to avoid trouble with the authorities, or she could risk everything to help them. Most of us, if we're honest, would probably choose the safe route and say "I don't need trouble with the law."
How Did Rahab's Faith Develop?
Rahab's faith came from hearing stories about what God had done for the Israelites. She heard about the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and how Yahweh had delivered His people from 400 years of bondage. These stories probably sounded outlandish and made up to many people.
But here's what happens when God's word reaches a broken heart that needs to be made whole: that person starts to cling to what God is doing. When you're broken and need something, and God knows you need something, those "tall tales" of a great God start pouring into your heart. The word of God comes into a heart that needs healing, and faith begins to grow.
What Made Rahab's Faith So Remarkable?
She Acted on What She Heard
Rahab didn't just listen to the stories - she acted on them. When the police came looking for the spies, she hid them and helped them escape through her window.
She Trusted in God's Promise
The spies made a deal with her: "If you'll hide us, then God will save you from the destruction." Rahab took God at His word, even though she had never seen Him work before.
She Was Rewarded for Her Faith
When the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, every stone fell except for one place - where Rahab's house was built into the wall. God held her section together while He brought down everything else around her.
Why Is Sharing Our Faith Stories Important?
Rahab's faith came from hearing what God had done for others. You don't know whose house you're going to step into, whose life you're going to encounter, or what situation you're going to face. You don't know what God has prepared in every aspect of that person's life before you arrive and say, "Let me tell you who God is to me."
Our faith can become someone else's faith if we'll just let our faith be known. When Jesus encountered the faith of a Roman centurion, He made sure to let His own people know how He was moved by that Gentile's faith. Faith isn't limited to those who grew up in the church - it's available to anyone who will believe.
What Can We Learn from Rahab's Transformation?
God does things in ways that seem weird to us. He uses whoever is willing to let Him use them. Rahab went from being a Gentile prostitute to being placed in the lineage of our Savior. The devil cannot mess up God's plans, although he won't stop trying.
It's one thing to have faith in a God you've grown up with and become familiar with. When you're familiar with God, you might take His power and presence for granted. But Rahab's faith moved God so much that He performed a miracle to save her - holding her wall together while destroying everything else.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to share what God has done in your life with someone who needs to hear it. You might think your story isn't that impressive, but you don't know whose broken heart needs to hear exactly what God has done for you.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I letting my past define my future, or am I trusting that God can use anyone willing to have faith?
- When was the last time I shared what God has done in my life with someone who doesn't know Him?
- Am I truly living by faith, or am I just following rules that make me feel in control?
- How can I step out in faith this week, even when I can't see the outcome?
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