Kindness Saved the Harlot

It was truly an implausible act.  She lived behind fortified walls yet chose to be vulnerable. For a woman of the street she possessed great insight.  She knew that her city would be destroyed because she believed the reports of the Destroyer.  As new stories meandered along hot, dusty streets and through bustling merchant shops, hearts despaired and courage disappeared.  She saw things differently; embracing faith from a heaven and earthperspective.

​Why did the spies go to her house?  She could easily have reported them.  Even the king knew they visited her and dispatched messengers who told her to bring them out for arrest.  No, she knew a lot about men, and these two were different. So she hid them on her roof and lied about them leaving the city.  Later under the cover of darkness she gave them a rope so they could escape down her wall.  She was an audacious woman with a simple request.

Meditation
Joshua 2:12,13—Now please swear to me by the LORD that you will also show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you.  Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.
 
Kindness saved the harlot.  There is a profound message embedded in this story.  You see we righteous people are quick to judge.  We don’t make prostitutes into heroes we vilify them or at best find them a place out of sight where they won’t inconvenience us with their immoral filth.  We find it difficult that God would forgive people content to make a living breaking His commands.

Kindness is much more than a word—it is a way of life that breathes heavenly air.  It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and attribute of God (2 Samuel 9:3) that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). It is a source of happiness (Proverbs 14:21). It is a trait we are to wear in the way we live (Colossians 3:2).  

God delights in our redemption. His sin-covering forgiveness reflects compassion.  He preserved a Canaanite family contrary to His command that they all be exterminated (Deuteronomy 20:16,17).  Why? Rahab brought Him glory through her conduct.  Consider this.  She is one of only two women mentioned by name in Hebrews chapter eleven which recounts the heroes of faith.  Her act of kindness saved her life, her faith saved her soul.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.—Lao Tzu
 
©2015 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)