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Rahab: The , Overcoming Our Past “Now Joshua the of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ So they went, and came to the house of a named Rahab, and lodged there." Joshua 2:1 The story of Rahab is another example of turning an ordinary life into and extraordinary experience with God. Though her previous lifestyle was anything but extraordinary; however, what makes her life a point we need to make is that her past was not a hindrance to the work of God. Often as Christians, we assume that because of our past God couldn’t use us. In fact, Rahab was indeed a lady of the night; however, when dealing with God, her past neither disqualified her nor nullified her importance to the will of God. How often do we eliminate ourselves because we feel unworthy to make an impact in the kingdom of God? Many cheat themselves with a false sense of condemnation due to their past. We feel and believe because of what we did God could never use us for His purpose. It is often discouraging for many to think that because of their previous lifestyle or poor choices they made prior to becoming a Christian. Yet, the story of Rahab doesn’t speak of her sinful lifestyle nor is it even a topic of concern for God; however, what she is most prominent for is her act of bravery. Before laying siege against the city of Jericho, the Bible tells us that Joshua sent in two spies to evaluate the city (Joshua 2:1). The spies sneak into the city; however, there presence doesn’t go unnoticed by the people of Jericho. The king is informed that spies have sneaked into the city and now a search was on (2:2). With nowhere to hide, the spies find refuge in the home of Rahab. Is it strange that out of thousands who lived in Jericho, the Lord chose to use the house of a to hide Israel’s spies? Surely there were better qualified homes in which the spies could have found refuge; however, it was in the home of a woman with a colorful past that God chose to use. There are many Christians with colorful pasts that can identify with the story of Rahab. Not so much in the lifestyle nor her occupation, but the shame and embarrassment of choices and possibly the failures of their life. An example of what is meant are those who suffered through a divorce. A failed marriage can have a evastating effect on one’s worthiness for ministry. Many fear that their marital failures disqualifies them from being used mightily by God. Unfortunately, their feelings are often compounded by the body of Christ who makes them feel inadequate. They are often times made to feel inferior by those who judge them. God not only overlooked Rahab’s , He used her in a great way. As a result of Rahab’s ourageousness her family was spared the destruction that the rest of the city of Jericho experienced. In like manner, God can take and use someone who has been divorced regardless of their failed marriage as long as they are willing to step out from under their failure. It is important to realize God’s only requirement is that we have the faith to believe He can and the willingness to obey. It is often through such circumstances that God is most transparent. As a matter of fact, if you research the Word of God, you will discover first hand that many of those used by God were much like Rahab. Maybe they were not prostitutes; however, their lifestyle was surely nothing short of stunning. Again, it goes without saying that in order to be used by God, one does not have to be divorced, a former drug user, a criminal, or come from a colorful background to be used by God; rather, such stories demonstrates God’s ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. When one thinks of that all one can do is stand in awe of the grace of God. How wonderful to know and realize that what I did in my past, the poor decisions and maybe even the sin, no matter how great the sin, means nothing to God.(Romans 10:11) Understand that a sinful lifestyle does have a direct effect your relationship with God and can possible affect any great work God may have in store for your life. But those who have been sanctified need not worry about their past. Paul in the Book of Romans tells us, “And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (8:28, NKJV). For those who love God, who are called according to His purpose should be noted and internalized by Christians. But Paul didn’t stop there he continued to write, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His ... Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:29a, 30, NKJV). Our past, according to the Word of God doesn’t nullify us, but rather validates God’s grace and love. It is by His grace we are able to perform extraordinary things with our lives. But many in the body of Christ never get past salvation as the only miracle God can do for them. As for sinners, many are convinced they have done far to much for God to forgive them. Both in the end miss out on the goodness of God. Rahab did have a bad past. She was not a good woman. She, by our standards, was a sinful woman, yet God chose to use her. It was by her simple act of bravery that the lives of her family were spared. Never once is it mentioned that she felt compelled to share her sin with the spies. It is not even known whether or not they knew what her lifestyle consisted of; however, we are made privy to the condition of her life by the Word of God. Nevertheless, God took an woman of sin and poured out both His mercy and grace upon her, which in turn benefitted her entire family. What, then, can God do with your life? Who else besides yourself could benefit from experiencing an extraordinary experience with God? In all probability your spouse, , friends and possibly even complete strangers can benefit from your willingness to look beyond your past and into the possibilities of God. Yes, Rahab represents to us what can become of those who have sinful scared their lives with choices and sin they have committed. But Rahab wasn’t the only that came in contact with God. There is also Mary Magdalene. She too was known to be a and not only that but had seven demons cast out of her. Unlike Rahah, instead of meeting two spies, she came face to face with Christ Himself. Her story is told in the four Gospels. Though her past would have raised some eyebrows as it possibly may have, God chose to take her life and use her in an extraordinary way. She not only became a follower of Christ, but devoted every waking moment serving His needs. She could have negated her worthiness by her own admonition; however, she chose to believe that God would and could use her. How often do we fail to believe? How often do we avoid the work of the Lord based on our past? For reasons only known to us, many of us feel so unworthy, much like a second class citizen in the community of believers. And, unfortunately it is safe to assume that the only ones to take notice of Mary’s past were the religious leaders of her day. How ironic that those who call themselves Christians are often the ones who judge the hardest, when in fact God has forgiven. Paul addresses this issue by penning, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are called in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1a, NKJV). And since God does not condemn you, why worry about what others think? Yet nothing speaks louder than when Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31, NKJV). In the end, Mary’s life which was once ordinary turned into the extraordinary. Luke 8:3 tells us she “ministered to Jesus,” “stood by the cross” (Matthew 27:56), “watched Jesus’ burial” (Mark 15:47), “came early to the sepulchre” (John 20:1), and most notably “saw the risen Lord” (Matthew 28:9). Surely such experiences were extraordinary; however, never in a thousand years could Mary, alone, conceive that she would partake in extraordinary events in her lifetime. My friend, that is how God works. Today He chooses to work wonders in your life. Today He desires to take your ordinary life regardless of your past and turn it into an extraordinary one. It would have been a misfortune if Mary by choice refused to believe that God would use her in a mighty way. Mary could have walked away from the blessing God was going to do in doubt and disbelief; however, she chose to stand on the promise of Christ. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b, NKJV). Today are you experiencing that life “more abundantly?” Fortunate for us, the Word of God is filled with stories such as Rahab and Mary Magdalene. We could also mention the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the Well of Jacob (John 4:6-30). This particular Samaritan woman had been married not once, not twice nor even three times but had been married five times, divorced and was living with a man in sin; however, her life was transformed by God and in the end went on to do extraordinary things. You may be saying, “those stories are about women, are there any stories of men?” Luke 8:27-39 tells the story of a man possessed with legions of evil spirits. The Bible tells us he was naked and lived among the tombs of the graveyard. The evil spirits had so much control of his being that they “often seized him, and was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness” (8:29, NKJV). Yet, several verses later, those in the city came and “found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” (8:35, NKJV). What a wonderful story of the power of God. Although the story could end there and still be extraordinary, the Bible continues to tell us, “And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him” (8:39, NKJV). Today Christ has boldly commanded us go and “tell what great things God has done for you” (Luke 8:39b, NKJV). Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary once again starts with God and ends with God. Our past, our failures, our shortcomings should never impede God’s ability to use us for His glory. On the contrary, all that you have experienced and gone through has been used by God to teach you, equip you and prepare you for what He has in store for you life. You may see your past as a stumbling block; however, God sees it as a stepping stone. What you see has a negative, God sees as a positive. What you view as a shortcoming, God sees it as a resource. What you see as unusable, God sees as salvageable. In light of God, all things become possible and reachable with He is involved. When you internalize the very truths of the Word of God, then you are able to have the faith and hope that your ordinary world can become extraordinary. 
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5/22/2006 5:30 pm |
God is not concerned about where you've been, He's concerned about where you're going. Welcome to the land of blogs. Elizabeth
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5/22/2006 6:38 pm |
Welcome to Blogworld, I hope you enjoy your stay. God bless
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5/22/2006 8:29 pm |
Welcome to blog land and God uses our past to give him Glory as to what he can bring other out of.. and as a testimony... TO GOD BE GLORY IN ALL...
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5/22/2006 10:54 pm |
Welcome to the land of blogs brother,and God bless you.
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5/23/2006 10:08 am |
"Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary once again starts with God and ends with God." Perfectly said SouthernColorado. The Potter is constanly changing and molding us all. I praise and give Him glory for His hands being on me. I personaly welcome you to "Blogland". My prayer is that your stay here will be a comforting and pleasureable experience. Bless you, belovedandblesse
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Welcome to BC. I feel inadequate to handle the mandate. Hiz4Ever † Vincit Veritas~Truth Conquers
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