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A Friend on the Inside

Words of Faith Final

A Friend on the Inside

Words of Faith 8-17-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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 Joshua 2

    [8] Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof [9] and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. [10] 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 Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. [11] When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. [12] Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign [13] that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."

    [14] "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."

 

       After the king’s operatives had left her house, Rahab went to the roof.  The scene reminds us of an adventure movie in which unexpected help is given by someone who might have been an enemy!  An unexpected friend on the inside made all the difference. 

       Now, the Israelite spies would find out why.  What was it that had motivated Rahab to suddenly turn against her king and country to aid these spies?  Did she hope to extort money from them or was it something else?  What Rahab said must have been shocking.

        Rahab first disclosed that she believed that the Lord, the God of Israel!  In fact, she believed that the Lord had given the land of Canaan to the Israelites.  Even though Israel's army had not yet crossed the Jordan River, Rahab stated in effect, "the Conquest is as good as over."

       She also revealed some critical information to the spies.  The inhabitants of Jericho, as well as the rest of Canaan, were utterly demoralized.  “All who live in this country are melting in fear because of you, our hearts sank, and everyone's courage failed.”  Of course, this was exactly as God had said it would be (Ex. 23:27; Deut. 2:25), but the confirmation would be critical.

       But why this terror of Israel?  Rahab was clear that it was not the power of Israel’s army but the power of Israel’s God.  Word had circulated about these people and their God.  It was well known that the Lord had parted the Red Sea for the Hebrew slaves 40 years before.  The victories over Sihon and Og, the mighty kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, were also known (Num. 21:21-35). Now that same God was closing in on them, and they knew they could not win.

       Perhaps the most important part of this rooftop conversation was Rahab’s declaration of personal faith in Israel's God.  "For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Responding to the news she had received about God's mighty working, Rahab believed, trusting in His power and mercy. She now trusted the Lord God completely. It is a marvelous story of grace and faith. 

       The spies had been completely at Rahab's mercy, but she now put herself at the mercy of the spies.  She sought their kindness toward herself and her family. A deal was struck.

        So, what was it that made Rahab different from the others in Jericho?  Many in the city were afraid of what they heard about the God of Israel. The difference was that Rahab trusted in this mysterious God of the desert people.  She stepped forward to stand on that faith, and by God's strength and call, she became a critical part of His redemptive story.

        We can often observe in Scripture that knowing the truth is only part of the life equation. In the time of Jesus, King Herod knew that the baby born to be "King of the Jews" was "the Christ," but his response was anything but genuine faith.  What is the difference?  It is the word surrender.  Rahab surrendered to the will and power of the Lord God of Israel.

         Have you surrendered to the mighty Lord, the Holy One of Israel?  Have you set your feet of faith firmly upon His plan?  Have you trusted in His might as the only force that can save and deliver you?

 

         Father God, You are the One who parts the sea and delivers Your people from enemies.  You are the One who brings down fortresses and wins the great victory.  I give thanks to you, in Jesus’ name, for reaching into my life.  I trust wholly in You.  I give to You the journey that is ahead for me.  I give You this day.  In Jesus’ name.

 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2005, 2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.