Think Twice Before You Look Down On Someone: God Can Use Anyone!

Think Twice Before You Look Down On Someone: God Can Use Anyone!

11/1/18
I have been reading the book of Joshua with much fascination. I have been encouraged as I have followed along on the journey as Joshua begins to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses. I have been encouraged as God repeatedly commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous.

The story I am about to share is chuck full of many encouraging and thought provoking lessons. It is the account of Rahab and how she interacted with the spies from Israel, before they conquered the city of Jericho. Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho, which was in the land of Canaan (“the promised land”). In Joshua 2, we see how Rahab hid the spies on the top of her roof, because she was convicted and thoroughly convinced that the God of Israel was greater than any other god.

“Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:8-11, NIV)

Rahab was in awe of the God of Israel. She knew that regardless of what she did or did not do, God had given Jericho into their hands. Rahab was clearly on a journey of repentance and turning to God… She had a deep revelation and she wanted to align herself with the God of all gods, the King of all kings. I believe her heart was open to God, God gave her this conviction, and God also gave her the wisdom to make a deal with the spies:

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them – and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” (Joshua 2:12-16, NIV)

Much later, in Joshua 6, the spies fulfilled their promise to Rahab when the Lord gave them the land of Jericho. Rahab and everyone who was connected to her or who belonged to her was spared from the judgment of God upon the land.

“Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:22-23, NIV)

Guess what – Rahab went on to marry Salmon, and they together gave birth to Boaz. Boaz married Ruth, and they together gave birth to Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of King David, who was a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ, our savior.

There are many things to take away from this story, even though things were very different back then. The biggest takeaway for me today is that we must never forget that God can use anyone! We must never forget that no matter what things may look like on the outside of a person, only God knows what is going on inside, only God knows what journey each person is on, only God knows what He has in store for every single one of us!!

Don’t be so quick to judge someone or look down on them – you just never know, they might even end up being who God chooses to use to help you out of an impossible situation! They might end up being who God uses to teach you an important lesson! They might end up being who God uses to help you with your business or career or something else you need help with! God can use anyone!

So, dear friends, let us all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling… it is not our place to look down on anyone! If we are concerned about someone, let us consistently PRAY for them, instead of looking down on them or gossiping about them. God will work it out!

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13, NIV)

May we always remember:
Think Twice Before You Look Down On Someone.
Think Twice Before You Look Down On People.
Think Twice Before You Judge Another.
God Can Use Anyone!

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Thanks for reading, Dear Friends!
Have a wonderfully blessed, stress-free, productive, and joyful day!
Much Love & Blessings,
Bomi Jolly ~ JollyNotes.com