God Uses YOU!
GOD USES YOU!
Joshua 2:1b & 21 - “...So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night...21 “I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.” NLT
This is a fascinating account in the lives of the Children of Israel. In order for you to fully appreciate the context of my thoughts today, I encourage you to go to this portion of scripture and read the entire account.
Why is it so intriguing? For two reasons. One, God uses a prostitute to bring about His purpose for the Children of Israel. This demonstrates to me again that God will use anyone who submits themself to Him. We often think we are not worthy of being used by God in some miraculous way. I think differently. I am quite confident no one on this mailing list is considered a prostitute so I feel quite safe in saying this...if God will use a prostitute certainly He will use you. This woman agreed to the terms proposed by the spies which was simply this. She would get them out of town safely if they would let her family live. The agreement was struck. There was a scarlet rope to be left hanging over the wall of her house. The spies returned safely home and made their report to Joshua telling him of their agreement with Rahab. When the Israelites came and defeated the enemy, they spared the life of Rahab and her family when they saw the scarlet rope hanging from her window. Rahab was part of a great victory.
The second reason this is intriguing to me is this. Guess who shows up in the lineage of Jesus? Rahab! She became the mother of Boaz and is listed as an ancestor of Jesus! Now tell me nothing important can happen through someone who is obedient to God’s plan. God can and will use anyone who has faith in Him and obeys His commands. That means you can be used of God in mighty ways if you just believe He wants to use you and you make yourself available to Him.
One other little thing that is just interesting. What color was the rope hanging from the window? Scarlet. Isaiah18:18 - “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;....” KJV What color is blood? Red or scarlet. Rahab’s life was a life of sin(scarlet). Her salvation was exposing her life, walking in faith, and obeying the terms of her agreement by leaving the rope hanging over the wall. The victory belonged to God’s people for her obedience. Jesus blood is red and was shed for the forgiveness of sin and through it we are washed as white as snow. As the scarlet rope was the salvation for the spies and the salvation of Rahab and her family, there is a scarlet rope from the place of God to place of people bringing salvation for those who grab hold. And for those who grab hold, not only salvation is theirs, but being used of God to do mighty works is theirs as well. Think you are not worthy of being used of God? Think again.
You are loved and prayed for,
Pastor Roger
Joshua 2:1b & 21 - “...So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night...21 “I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.” NLT
This is a fascinating account in the lives of the Children of Israel. In order for you to fully appreciate the context of my thoughts today, I encourage you to go to this portion of scripture and read the entire account.
Why is it so intriguing? For two reasons. One, God uses a prostitute to bring about His purpose for the Children of Israel. This demonstrates to me again that God will use anyone who submits themself to Him. We often think we are not worthy of being used by God in some miraculous way. I think differently. I am quite confident no one on this mailing list is considered a prostitute so I feel quite safe in saying this...if God will use a prostitute certainly He will use you. This woman agreed to the terms proposed by the spies which was simply this. She would get them out of town safely if they would let her family live. The agreement was struck. There was a scarlet rope to be left hanging over the wall of her house. The spies returned safely home and made their report to Joshua telling him of their agreement with Rahab. When the Israelites came and defeated the enemy, they spared the life of Rahab and her family when they saw the scarlet rope hanging from her window. Rahab was part of a great victory.
The second reason this is intriguing to me is this. Guess who shows up in the lineage of Jesus? Rahab! She became the mother of Boaz and is listed as an ancestor of Jesus! Now tell me nothing important can happen through someone who is obedient to God’s plan. God can and will use anyone who has faith in Him and obeys His commands. That means you can be used of God in mighty ways if you just believe He wants to use you and you make yourself available to Him.
One other little thing that is just interesting. What color was the rope hanging from the window? Scarlet. Isaiah18:18 - “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;....” KJV What color is blood? Red or scarlet. Rahab’s life was a life of sin(scarlet). Her salvation was exposing her life, walking in faith, and obeying the terms of her agreement by leaving the rope hanging over the wall. The victory belonged to God’s people for her obedience. Jesus blood is red and was shed for the forgiveness of sin and through it we are washed as white as snow. As the scarlet rope was the salvation for the spies and the salvation of Rahab and her family, there is a scarlet rope from the place of God to place of people bringing salvation for those who grab hold. And for those who grab hold, not only salvation is theirs, but being used of God to do mighty works is theirs as well. Think you are not worthy of being used of God? Think again.
You are loved and prayed for,
Pastor Roger