Faith of a Prostitute

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. (NIV)

        God told Moses, during the time that he led Israel, that He would give them the land of Canaan. Moses did not live to see it come to pass, but his successor, Joshua, would be the one to lead the Israelites into the land. But first, Joshua sent spies to scout out the land in order to see what they would be coming up against. He sent two spies who came to the city of Jericho and entered the home of a prostitute named Rahab. 

        Upon the king of Jericho hearing that there were Israelites who had gone to Rahab’s home, he sent a message that she was to bring the men outside. However, Rahab had heard the stories of how God had rescued the Children of Israel during their captivity in Egypt and how He had helped them to win battles against other nations. Therefore, she understood and believed in the power of God. Her belief made her go against the wishes of her king and help the men who served the one True God. 

        She hid the men on the roof of her home and asked if they would spare her and her family’s life because of the kindness that she had shown to them. They agreed as long as she told no one of their secret. She also had to have her entire family stay at her home with the red cord hanging out of the window that she used to help them escape. She agreed to the terms and because of her faith, she and her family were spared when the walls of Jericho came down. 

        The enemy wanted to prevent Israel from having the land of Canaan, so he used the king of Jericho to hunt for them. Joshua 2:2-3 The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” (NIV) Nevertheless, what God had promised them would not be deterred by the enemy. Rahab’s faith was used as a tool to give Israel the Promised Land.

        We too must have that kind of faith despite what the devil throws our way. He will use whatever tactic he can to make us doubt the promises of God. This is why we must carry the shield of faith in order to block the darts that will surely come our way from the enemy. It is his mission to make us doubt God, but Jesus told us to believe that whatever we have asked for, we have already received it. Mark 11:22-23 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV) Rahab believed that she would be saved prior to receiving a confirmation from the spies. Her faith in God, as a result of the stories that she had heard, allowed her to take a risk that could have brought her harm. However, her faith outweighed any fear that she may have experienced. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (NIV)

          Faith is a requirement of those who proclaim to follow God. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV) God loves to reward the faithful and it is through that faith that even during times of delay it will produce the greatest results.