"However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho."

If we do what God says, then it will go well with us. He's a forgiving and a faithful God. He keeps his promises.

Rahab hid the spies, and she was saved. It was the only choice she could make. She has the fear of God. Others feared but fought the Lord [Joshua 5:1]. Rahab feared and served him. She helped his people. She risked herself.

Let us be zealous to obey, and it will go well with us too. He'll keep his promises and deliver us.

First, she's described. "Rahab the harlot." God gives her this name throughout the New Testament to magnify his mercy! He wants us to know that he's gracious and kind to the FILTHIEST people who repent. Rahab did wrong many times, but she's the great, great, great grandmother of King Jesus [Matt 1:5]. She joins Batseba the adulteress, Tamor the pretended harlot, and Ruth the Moabite in the royal bloodline!

Hallelujah, praise God for not being ashamed to call us his children. Thank him for repentance, and turn.

Secondly, we see what happened to her. "Joshua spared." She was saved from God's wrath and utter destruction. She was spared the punishment of her sins. She was forgiven!

God's wrath is pacified because of Jesus Christ. He's called THE GOD OF Peace [Heb 13:20]! Oh, bless his name. There's forgiveness. Sin won't be held against you. The punishment of the Son is enough! Bless God. Bless God!

You too can receive this pardon. Let the guilt go. Carry the debt no longer. Every repenter is free!

Thirdly, look at her privilege! "She has lived in the midst of Israel." She got the full inheritance. She was not outside looking in. She walked the streets of the Promised Land and enjoyed God. She was given SPIRITUAL LIFE. Oh, how blessed it is. The sinner is made a son and a servant. He's elevated from depravity.

Ours is the most beautiful gospel. It bestows dignity on the former slave. It gives him power over sin and the joy of a new life. He's able to serve the Son, and worship him properly. He escapes danger and enters God's presence! Crave this gospel, poor sinner. Live in your riches, dear saint!

Fourthly, look at what she did. "She hid the messengers." She didn't regard the wrath of man. She feared God truly. She reasoned, better to die on God's side, than to perish in his anger. Better to forsake everything to get something better!

Matthew 16:24-25,
"Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

This is a great decision. Did you make it? Are you living to serve the Son with your back to the world? Have you forsaken everything to follow him, or do you still love family and the deceitfulness of riches [Luke 14:26]? Are you walking by faith, choosing to suffer, or do you still serve sin before destruction? How is it with you? What's your choice?

Everyone who forsakes everything gains more! Everyone who loses their life finds it!

Finally, who did she hide? "The spies whom Joshua sent." They were spies transformed into messengers, because Rahab feared God.

Likewise, bow to God's judgment and seek his mercy. Scripture leads us to Christ as guilty, hell deserving sinners. It promises us salvation, if we stick with Christ [Joshua 2:17-19]. No matter how fierce God's wrath, he'll hear us and turn from his anger. The Lord of heaven saves everyone who fears him!

Oh, turn now, dear sinner, and he will turn to you. Threats will yield to promises. Anger will be no more!