On the one hand, many people have a problem with Rahab who helped the Israelite spies in Joshua 1. On the other hand, here she’s used as an example: ²⁵The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God?

The Bible experts argue whether she really was a prostitute or just working in the hospitality industry hosting a kind of Airbnb. But one thing is sure: her action draws a straight line to her faith in God.

We recently repeatedly concluded that faith without actions isn’t faith. I think we understand this point really well now. And that’s why I now want to move away from the central message of actions and faith to the person referred to here.

Rahab. Whether Rahab was a prostitute or ran an Airbnb, she’s actually mentioned several times in the Word of God. And everywhere she is put forward as an example of how a child of God should be living.

She was an ordinary woman trying to make a living in her way. She ran her business in the wall of Jericho. That’s what she did every day, but when the instruction came to do something different, she probably first thought it over for a moment.

“Goodness, for the first time, I’m being challenged to do something that I know opposes the government. Actually, what is expected of me will put my life in danger. Should I do it, or should I ask the men to go next door instead?

What is the right thing to do? Yes, I believe in God, but does He now expect me to do illegal stuff? Oh, I wish I had a direct line!

And who am I that God wants to use me?

Well, maybe I should put my money where my mouth is. Maybe now is the time to do what I believe …”

Does this sound a little familiar? We who are not sure that God wants to use us. We feel so inferior. We often think we’re not equipped for what we must do, and that’s when we, too, want a direct line from heaven.

Let’s learn from Rahab and know that it doesn’t matter what we do and where we are in the stages of life; we qualify to work for God. It doesn’t matter if we have a direct line to put our faith in action.

God wants to use you: if you believe, you can take action. God will use you just as you are.

Scripture
James 2:14-26

Reflection
Do you believe that God wants to use you?
Do you believe that you can do it?
What does God want you to do?

Prayer
Father, I find it hard to believe that You want to use me. I’m just an ordinary person with a lot of sin. Help me to transform my faith in You into action, even if it’s just a small one. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.