Running with the Giants – Rahab

Hebrews 12:1 NIV ¹  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

For when you’re feeling disappointed with your life…

“Let God .”

God’s Story

 God to be in His story.

Joshua 2:1 NIV ¹  Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

 God always for us to be in His story.

Joshua 2:17-21 NIV ¹⁷  The men said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸  unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. ¹⁹  If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. ²⁰  But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” ²¹  “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

 God’s story always has a ending.

Matthew 1:3, 5-6 NIV ³  Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, . . . ⁵  Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, ⁶  and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Rahab’s Words of Encouragement

 1.  “God invites you to be a part of His story—.”

John 8:12 NIV ¹²  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV ²³  Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

2.  “God wants to surprise you with His love—.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 MSG ¹⁵  We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. ¹⁶  So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

3. “God wants you to love others with your actions—.”

1 John 3:16-18 NIV ¹⁶  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ¹⁷  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? ¹⁸  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

“God signs His Name to your story—.”

1 Timothy 1:15-17 NLT ¹⁵  This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶  But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷  All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.