A Lying Prostitute
Joshua 2:9-11 (NLT) “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.
If you have ever had the notion that you must be highly educated, free of all sins, perfect, blameless, highly esteemed by peers etc. in order for God you work through you then let me share a few verses that contradict that theory (the lie the enemy wants us all to believe). Before the Israelites conquered the promised land, 2 spies were sent into Jericho to see what they were up against. They stopped at the house of Rahab, a prostitute, and she informed them that the entire city is in fear because they heard about the miracle of the Red Sea parting when they left Egypt and they knew their God was powerful!
Even this woman who lived a life of sin, recognized the power of our God and decided she wanted to be on the winning side. There were men from Jericho looking for the 2 spies but Rahab lied on their behalf [she sinned again!] telling them the spies had left her home (they were actually hidden) in order to spare their lives. Rahab could be summed up as a lying prostitute by many, but for the spies she became a trusted friend who desperately wanted her and her family to be saved from the hands of an enemy. Rahab was not a woman highly respected nor was she highly educated but she was able to quickly recognize the power of God. Even though she was not living an honorable lifestyle, God still used her to help His people. We never know who is around us that we are likely looking at as a "less than worthy" person but God is willing to use those who desire something better. If we choose to remain silent rather than give praise to God for all He has done - God will use the rocks to cry out glory to His name! We have all sinned and fallen short - but God! He will take what we have to offer and use it for His name's sake. The enemy would have loved to keep Rahab in bondage to sin but God was able to use her for His glory and help the children of Israel! Don't ever underestimate what God can do through you - His ways are always higher and rarely conventional.
Luke 19:38-40 (AMP) “Blessed (celebrated, praised) is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory (majesty, splendor) in the highest [heaven]!” Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples [for shouting these Messianic praises].” Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!”
