Monday 5 October 2015

The Unlikeliest Conversion


Image: CCI/The Art Archive at Art Resource, NY.


The Unlikeliest Conversion

-Lester Parkinson

Scripture Settings: "The Lord your God is the Supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below." Joshua 2:11 NLT

In my adolescent years, I have often wondered why Rahab, the prostitute who lived in the pagan city of Jericho, opened her home to the Israelite spies. I have further wondered what gave her the courage to name the God of the Israelites as her own.

The unlikeliest of conversions was prompted by the stories she had heard about the reality and power of Almighty God. Although she was thoroughly steeped in paganism and a life of immorality, her heart was drawn to the God of Israel. As she conveyed to the spies, "We have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we have on record what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite Kings east of the Jordan River." (Joshua 2:10).
Under normal circumstances, the highly fortified city of Jericho would have been virtually unconquerable. Yet it became vulnerable because of the compelling stories of God's miraculous power. Long before God's people arrived, the self-sufficient Pride of this hostile culture dissolved in fear when faced with those who belonged to the God they had heard so much about (v. 11). And within the walls, one pagan heart turned to receive the God of Israel and played a strategic role in Israel's stunning victory.
Let us boldly tell the stories of God's greatness. You never know whose heart may be ready to respond. I encourage those with a spirit of fear not to be shy; but be confident in telling the stories of God's greatness and His miraculous interventions to change the hardest of hearts and bring victory to the unlikeliest of seemingly impossible situations.

1 comment:

  1. Indeed, it was a case of faith in the God of Israelites who had performed great miracles. It is also a beautiful story of God using a prostitute for His great design. Of course, the decisive step that she took was out of her own free will - for which, she and her all her relatives could be saved.

    When we are available for God's work, irrespective of our identity or reputation, He can use us for such a task of great significance.

    Yes. We need to take decisions when required. We need to speak out of God's marvellous works when it is time to do so.

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