FAITH and PROSTITUTE?

An Oxymoron is when two contradictory words are put together.  Words like “bitter sweet” or “deafening silence” or “irregular pattern” are examples of an oxymoron.  As I was reading Hebrews today I came across a phrase that on the surface seemed contradictory “By faith Rahab the prostitute...”  Those words just do not seem to go together.  How in the world does Rahab end up in  Hebrews 11 - the chapter describing the heroes of the Faith in the Bible? Let’s take a look.

Hebrews 11:31(HCS)  By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

After 40 yrs. wandering around in the wilderness because of rebellion and a lack of FAITH the nation of Israel finally arrived across the Jordan river from the city of Jericho.  In order to enter the Land God had Promised them they would have to deal with Jericho. So Joshua sent two spies into Jericho. When the King and his soldiers start looking for them the two spies sought help from Rahab the Prostitute.  Why?  It is possible that they thought that for the right price she might help them.  What they were not aware of was that this prostitute had heard about the God of Israel.  She had longed to hear more about this God who acted so powerfully on behalf of His people.  Before she helped the spies get away safely she said to them: “...the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” (Joshua 2:11)  That is an amazing statement for a woman who had NEVER heard God’s Word.  She was a Prostitute who believed the stories she had heard about the God of Israel and decided that the God of Israel MUST be the TRUE God.  So she turned to Him in Faith and was rewarded for seeking after Him.  

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) 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.

Rahab the prostitute whose FAITH caused her to SEEK out God - eventually becomes one of King David’s ancestors and is mentioned in the genealogy of the Messiah Jesus. The words Faith and Prostitute do not normally go together - but in this case it shows us the wonder of God’s Amazing Love and Grace.      

 
PRAYER: Lord God, thank You that You are a God who can put FAITH and PROSTITUTE together in one phrase giving a vivid picture for all the world to see of the Wonders of Your Grace.  Thank YOU for Your forgiveness Thank YOU for Your Grace to me. 

RAINY DAYS and MONDAYS - REALLY?

It was Monday (if a pastor is going to  be down emotionally it will be Monday) and I was in a bad mood.  I was pretty much self-focused. I wanted to think about the things that were troubling and frustrating me. So when Carol mentioned someone she was concerned about.  I dismissed it and kept on brooding.  The good news is that Carol knows me well enough - and loves me enough not to let me get away with that nonsense.  She challenged me to stop thinking about myself and to see what was going on with this other person.  As we talked I realized that my self-focus and my frustration over what I was thinking and feeling was keeping me from being able to serve this other person in a godly way.  Let’s look at these verses together.

Luke 7:11-15 (NLT)  ...Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed Him. [12] A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” He said. [14] Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up.” [15] Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

 Luke 7:13 (MSG) When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, "Don't cry."

Jesus was moved by great compassion.  His heart BROKE for this widow.  WHY? She had lost her only son.  In that time period that meant she would most likely end up destitute - husbands and sons took care of wives and mothers.  So Jesus seeing how bleak her future would be acted.  I love this picture of our Lord Jesus.  His heart overflowed with compassion - His heart broke and He acted.  I wonder how often does my heart go out to those who are hurting. How often does MY HEART BREAK with the pain of what someone else is going through.  When we allow ourselves to be moved as Jesus was by the needs of others - it takes the focus of OURSELVES.  It gives us the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we reach out and encourage and help others in His Name.  May the Lord give us more and more His heart for those who are struggling and hurting around us.    

PRAYER: Lord, help me to have Your TENDERNESS and COMPASSION for others. Please Lord Jesus, may my heart BREAK with those things which BREAK Your heart.  Then give me wisdom to do those things that I can do to encourage and help those You bring across my path.