SUNDAY April 19, 2026

The Faith to Believe

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:31

Rahab was a Canaanite––a worshiper of idols. She was also a harlot living within the massive wall of Jericho: ...for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall (Joshua 2:15). When Joshua sent two men to spy out the city of Jericho, it happened that they came to Rahab’s house.

When the King of Jericho was informed that spies had infiltrated the city and were at Rahab’s house, he sent men to find them. Rahab feared God, not the king. By faith, she hid the spies on her roof under the stalks of flax. She cleverly detoured the King’s men to go find them elsewhere (Joshua 2:2-7).

Rahab had a peace about protecting the spies from Israel. Why did she hide them? Rahab had come to faith in the God of Israel. Although lengthy, read carefully her declaration of faith in the God of Israel:

“I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For 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 the two kings of the Amorites ... Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11).

Rahab helped the spies of Israel, because she believed, by faith, in their God. When the walls of Jericho fell, she had hung a scarlet cord from her window––symbolic of redemption. Rahab and her family were saved! She married a prince of Israel, and, showing God’s grace, her name is recorded in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Listen, God does not choose perfect people, but imperfect people. Will you be among the redeemed? Do you have your own declaration of faith?

Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done.
~Charles Wesley~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!