I have a sticky note in my Bible with the names of all “my people”… family, friends, those near & dear to my heart. One of my favorite promises from God is Acts 16:31. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.” Well I pray that verse very, very often and always feel like I am interceding or negotiating with God of who I can claim as “my household”. I claim them all… everyone on my sticky note! (And my sticky note is super full of tiny, tiny writing, front and back!) I’ve always questioned whether this was okay or not. I remind God that He said it was His will that none shall perish, and ask Father God to draw their hearts to Him, and leave it at His feet.
This morning I was reading the story of Rahab the prostitute. (Joshua 2, and 6). What a blessing it was! It brought me to James 2:18-19 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Even the demons believe that — and shudder.”
I think that verse describes Rahab’s life very well. It is very possible to know of God, even believe He is “real”, all the while not having an ounce of faith in God. James says that the demons do just that – they believe in God and shudder, or tremble. They aren’t saved by the knowledge OF God… They undoubtedly KNOW He is real! But they do not allow that knowledge to change their actions.
Rahab, on the other hand, believed and acted on her beliefs. Like all of the others in Jericho, she had heard of the Israelites and their God. In Joshua 2:11, it says their hearts melted and their courage failed when they heard. Rahab acted differently… She chose to deny fear and do something that would join herself with this God and His people! She sided with God at the risk of her own life!
In verse 2:8, Rahab calls God the LORD. When we see the word Lord in the Bible in all capital letters, it is a very specific, special word. This is a study that changed my life… and we don’t have time for it here. But a couple of quick points to consider: the name may be written YHWH or YHVH. It was known as the ineffable name, or the name beyond pronouncing. If you were an Orthodox Jewish person, when you came to LORD in the Bible, you’d say “The Name” or “Ha-she
m”. It means covenant keeper! I love that!! Anyway, Rahab referred to God in this way! In verse 2:11, she describes God as “the God in heaven above and earth below.” Rahab had made a choice that she would believe whole-heartedly in this God and follow Him!
m”. It means covenant keeper! I love that!! Anyway, Rahab referred to God in this way! In verse 2:11, she describes God as “the God in heaven above and earth below.” Rahab had made a choice that she would believe whole-heartedly in this God and follow Him!
In Joshua 2:13, we see her making arrangements to have her entire family saved! And… In chapter 6 of Joshua, we see that her plan was successful!
Where does your faith align you? …with God? Or with secular culture? Do you believe in God and tremble or do you believe and act as if God is LORD? This kind of belief is intercession!! If a prostitute, with her faith, can save all of her family, so can we! Now is the time we MUST intercede for those in our lives. God’s promises are “Yes!” and “Amen!” in our lives for such a time as this!
22Thrive! 
