The Power of God’s Mercy

It is strange that of all the people of Jericho whom God could have chosen to save from destruction, he did not choose the kindest grandmother or the sweetest little child, or an innocent baby, but He chose to save a prostitute!  Rahab was a sinner among sinners.  And yet the Lord showed mercy to her.  God chose to save this prostitute out of this evil city. How or why did this happen?  We read of Rahab’s confession of faith in 2:8-14.  The fact that Rahab chose to cast her lot with the Israelites and not with her own people seems to be a pretty clear indication of her faith in the God of Israel.  Rahab’s declaration was proof of her faith. It was not strong faith and it was not perfect faith, but her faith was nonetheless commendable!  Although a prostitute, Rahab was saved by God’s mercy. She is remembered as an ancestor of Christ (Matt. 1:5), and for her faith.  The Bible says, “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”(Hebrews 11:31).  Remember, it is not God’s will that even one is lost!

No one is beyond the mercy of God.  If we look back on our own lives, we can see the saving hand of God at work to redeem us while we were dying in sin. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:1-2, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear”.  We may be appalled at the fact that Rahab was a prostitute, or that she was a liar. Despite those facts, when she looked to God  she was saved!   No one is beyond the mercy of God!  We may know some people that seem ‘impossible’ to be saved, but God’s hand is not too short or too weak to save people like Rahab, and He can work in amazing ways to bring salvation.  When the disciples asked Jesus, "who then can be saved," what was His reply?  “Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)"  

My friend, are you still praying for a son or daughter or maybe a brother or a dear friend?  Do not lose hope. No one is beyond hope! Continue to pray in faith.  In His time, you will receive the answer!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that in Your time, my loved one will be saved.  Thank you Jesus for renewing my hope today. Amen

---