Verse of the day: Joshua 2:11 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.
Is our testimony making any kind of impact within our circle of influence? When people who know us, or do not know us that well, observe our life, is there any indication that there is something different about us? Can they clearly see God working in us and through us? The spies Joshua sent into the land hid in the home of a prostitute. This may seem like the last place that followers of God would choose as a hiding place, but it was actually a very wise choice. It was a place where they could hide easily, as it would not be unusual for strangers to visit. It is here that we are introduced to a harlot (or prostitute) who turns out to be a woman of faith that God uses greatly in His plan to give Israel the land, and later chosen to be in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Rahab was the mother of Boaz (Matthew 1:5), making her the great-great-grandmother of King David. In two other places in Scripture she is mentioned as an example of great faith (Hebrews 11; James 2), which we will discuss at a later date. Here, I want to draw our attention to what Rahab says to the two spies regarding the God they served. From her statement, we can see that she did not yet see God as her God when she said, “the LORD your God”. However, we see that the testimony she has already heard has made an impact on her, and now she is ready to become a part of God’s people. Quite often, we hide our testimony for the LORD because we are afraid of being persecuted. What we do not realize when we do this is that we put ourselves in a position to miss out on God using our testimony to make an impact in the life of someone who may be ready to accept God into their life. If we truly live life by faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, serving God, serving others, and taking true steps of faith in following Jesus, He will use our life to show Himself in great ways. I often hear Christians share their testimony by telling others all the things they used to do and how they are living differently now. That is great, however, I know unsaved people who have made changes in their lives without Christ. What we need to be sharing is all the things that Jesus is doing in our lives. What people need to see is that there is such a change in us, in our words, actions, and deeds, that there would be no doubt that it is Jesus who is making the change and working in us. The change in us needs to be supernatural; this requires a willingness to take steps of faith that make people curious and make them question why we do what we do. The testimony of what God was doing in the midst of His people was so well known that this woman, a prostitute, took the first opportunity she was given to show her desire to be a part of God’s people. One of the saddest quotes I have ever read regarding the testimony of Christians came from Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” The fact of the matter is that God knows the heart of every person we encounter. There is no such thing as a coincidence when people cross our path in life. This encounter was one that these two spies did not expect, as far as Rahab’s profession of who she knows God to be, based on the testimony she has heard. As God’s children, we must always be ready to give an account of our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”. As we serve God and walk the path He sets for us, we will encounter people who must see more of Jesus and less of us (John 3:30). We may be surprised how many people out there are really searching, and may even be right before our very eyes, but we may too busy hiding our Christianity to avoid persecution, rather than letting it shine and allowing God to draw others to Himself via the testimony of His work in our lives. Let us strive to do what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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