His Power is Greater than My Past

Introduction

Matthew 1:5 “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,”

The mother of Boaz, a hero of faith, mentioned in the lineage of Jesus is an ending that everyone would desire. One of the issues we have in the is we see the now and don’t see what someone went through to get to that moment of celebration. We see the big promotion, we see the person walk across the stage, we see the wedding, we see the success but I’m certain if you saw where most people started you might not have had the same home. In Joshua chapter 2 we are introduced to a woman that society would depict as someone who was unworthy to be in the bloodline of Jesus. We would see a woman that people would turn a their nose up to, we would see a woman that the community would not respect.

I’m thankful that God doesn’t allow my past to determine the impact of my legacy. In Joshua 2 as the people of God prepare to overtake Jericho they are introduced to a woman by the name of Rahab who was a harlot by profession. It is a testament to the fact that we can’t let the lifestyle of someone push us to assume that because of their lifestyle they are unable to see the God in a situation. Understand something, your past doesn’t determine how well you get to know the Lord. God has the ability to work with anyone. One thing that I’ve gathered from the story of Rahab is the fact that Rahab’s information was respected.

Joshua 2:7–8“Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,”

It’s always mind-blowing to me that sometimes the best way to navigate unchartered terrority is to employ someone that society might deem unworthy!

Judgement Can Kill the Mission

Imagine had the spies assumed that Rahab did not have the ability to help them because of her current issue. This happens all the time, how do we recieve the advice of the homeless man, how do we treat the single mother, how do we treat the restored citizen? Judgement gets in the way when we think to highly of ourselves.

Understand the mission, we might be on one mission to help the people of God but the goal for the people of God is simply to help the church grow. When we judge, when we refuse to help people based on their current condition we infringe on the growth of the church. The addition of believers to the body is not a Human Resource Division hiring based on skill set and experience. It’s based on faith and belief in God. The only qualifications in salvation is belief and obedience.

Matthew 11:15 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Rahab believed in what the Lord is doing. She heard about the people and what God had done for them.

Joshua 2:8–11“Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Faith Foregos Your Past

Faith changed the perspective, even in the midst of engaging in a lifestyle that society frowned upon. It’s a testament to the fact that God can use anyone.

Faith has the power to conquer my past. No matter what my past looks like, there are so many examples in which faith has set so many people free! Faith was a reflection of the heart and the true character of Rahab. She didn’t have to take these men in, she didn’t have to cover them in stalks of flax, she didn’t have to make up a story to get the enemy off their tail. Faith will always lead to protection from God! It may be a moment of faith but it can lead to a transcendent faith that can change the trajectory of your family.

In Spite of Sin

In spite of the sin, in spite of the prostitution let’s take a look at the character that is the product of faith. Rahab didn’t have to take them in. It’s a testament to her hospitality, it’s a testament to her open-mindedness. Her background didn’t matter in that moment, her lifestyle didn’t matter in that moment. Urgency pushed her to make a conscious decision to save her family! What are you willing to do for your family today?

Historically women have been at the forefront of ensuring the safety and their families!

Sometimes faith and hospitality can save your family from destruction!

Joshua 6:17–19“Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.””

Her faith led her to becoming an ancestress to Jesus Christ! You don’t know what type of impact your faith, your trust, your love for your family will have on the next generation!

We never know what God has in store once we trust God.

For Rahab it meant safety for her family for you it could have an impact that you never thought it might have! It’s ironic that Rahab’s name actually means to open oneself wide, to make wide, or extensive! Her belief made her vulnerable, openness can change your life!