The God who Redeems
It’s easy to feel hopeless and completely lost, to believe we’re too far gone, too broken, or too stuck to change. Sometimes we get trapped in our routines, our mistakes, and our circumstances, and it starts to feel like there’s no point in even trying to be different. The weight of our past choices and the shame of where we’ve been can whisper lies that this is all we’ll ever be. But I’m here to remind you that you are never too far gone for God’s grace. In this post, we are going to look at a woman named Rahab, who seemed to have no future, but because of her faith in the God who creates all things new, she became a crucial figure in the story of Jesus Christ.
Rahab was a prostitute living in the highly fortified city of Jericho, the place God had promised to deliver into the hands of the Israelites. (Joshua 2:1). At this point, everyone had heard about the miraculous and powerful God of the Israelites and the victories he brought them, so when the Israelites sent two spies to scout out the land, Rahab took an incredible risk. Going against all she knew, Rahab hid the Israelite spies in her house (Joshua 2:2-6). By doing so, she committed an act of treason. If she had been found out, she could have been put to death, but Rahab believed in a God more powerful than any king or nation. Even though she had only heard stories of Israel’s God, she believed He was the one true God, saying, “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11). Because of her great faith, she made a covenant with the spies: she would help them escape if they promised to spare her and her family when Jericho felland when the walls of Jericho came crashing down, Rahab’s house which was built into the city wall, miraculously stood firm. She and her family were rescued just as the spies had promised (Joshua 6:22–25), but Rahab didn’t just survive; she was redeemed! She became part of God’s people and even entered the family line of Jesus Himself (Matthew 1:5).
Rahab’s story teaches us that stepping out in faith and making the right decision can change our entire lives. Imagine if Rahab chose not to hide the spies; how different her story would be. Moreover, Rahab had faith that God would honor her courageous act. She believed that he would see her choice to help the Israelites and help her in return, and He did! He didn’t just spare her life, her gave her a new life, a new future and a new identity. Rahab went from being a prostitute to being a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world!
In the same way, God can change our lives. His power to redeem reaches deeper than our failures and further than our regrets. He can take us from wherever we are, no matter how far gone we may feel, no matter how destitute or hopeless, and take us to a whole new place. A place of love, peace, joy and most importantly, redemption. He can and will create ways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19) if we give him the chance.
You may be wondering, “How do I give him the chance?” The answer is simple. By accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. This is your act of faith. For Rahab, it was hiding the spies. For you, it’s welcoming Jesus into your heart and deciding to follow him. This means letting go of old things and allowing him to change not only your life but your heart. Like it says in Ezekiel 36:2-6, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
If you have chosen to follow Christ, you can say this simple prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your redeeming power and awesome transforming love. Like Rahab, I want my life and story to be changed. Please come into my heart and dwell with me. Help me to walk in your ways going forward as you create in me a new heart.
In Jesus' name, Amen
