Heb. 11:31-33    By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised

We have talked about some of the great heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.  We mentioned men like Noah, who worked for 100 years building an ark and preaching with no responses and certain ridicule, or Abraham, who left his home at God’s command and was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice to go.  These men are certainly worthy to be named among this Hall of Fame of Faith.  

But the thing that encourages me is that there are several more mentioned whose records are not quite as stellar—yet they are also included here.  Today I want to mention Rahab.  We know her because she protected the spies in Jericho, but before that her life hadn’t been one of faith.  I love the fact that the Hebrew writer doesn’t gloss over her past.  He calls her “the prostitute Rahab”, then goes on to tell how she welcomed the spies.  Later we learn that she married Salmon, became the mother of Boaz who married Ruth.  She became the great-great grandmother of the great king David and is listed in Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus.

This just reminds us that God can take anyone who trusts in Him, regardless of their past, and make them new.  Remember 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  We sing the song that says “Bring Christ your broken life, so marred by sin.  He will create anew—make whole again.”  Creation didn’t end in Genesis 1.  God is still creating new creatures today.  Just like He took the prostitute Rahab and made her an ancestor for Jesus, He can take us with our imperfections and make us special too.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that we don’t have to be icons of holiness to come to you.  We can come in our brokenness and give You the pieces of our shattered lives and You will shape us into vessels for Your service.  Help us to overcome our pride and stubbornness and submit to You and be made into what You designed us to be.