For today’s encouragement I want to post a topic I thought I had already done but cannot find it if I did. But first here’s a song to get our minds on it:
Ok, here’s a moment from scripture I came across the other day. Something I read discussed the story of Rahab from Joshua 2 got me to thinking on this topic:
A prostitute then used by God and named in the lineage of Jesus Christ and in other scriptures of the New Testament. This pointed me to reading my ESV Study Bible a little on Rahab in Joshua 2. The Jewish spies are sent into the promised land to report on their findings, the Bible says they were sent to view “especially Jericho”. Now, the story of Jericho is one to tell on its own. If you do not know it please go look it up in the book of Joshua. As Rahab hides the spies from the King who is looking for them. As the men were about to hide on the roof Rahab comes and says:
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” – Joshua 2:9-13
Then it continues in the Bible with the spies response to her request:
And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” – Joshua 2:14
Next, we read her response:
Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” – Joshua 2:15-16
Wow, what faith she showed. “I know the Lord has given you the land…” Then, I read in my ESV Study Bible some commentary on this. “…she is remembered as one of the ancestors of Christ (Matthew 1:5), for her faith (Hebrews 11:31) and for her good works (James 2:25).”
and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, – Matthew 1:5 (ESV)
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. – Hebrews 11:31 (ESV)
And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? – James 2:25 (ESV)
A moment of turn around and surrender by Rahab there. She was one thing (prostitute) then remembered by her faith throughout scriptures and used by God! This is an Ebenezer moment! Let’s go back to my opening song. In it the line is sung, “here I raise my Ebenezer” This is a song I’ve sung in church a bunch and that line I’ve sung and not thought about. So where does it come from?
It comes from 1 Samuel as posted in the photograph above. Let’s look at that verse in more detail:
Some versions of the scripture says to this point he has helped us.
So, what moments in life can you say to this point he has helped me? Let me encourage you, mark it! If you can go put a rock or something to remember the moment.
Can’t think of anything? Have you met the savior of the world, Jesus? Maybe that one sentence is your first “Ebenezer” maybe it is your first moment to know he loves you, died for you, and rose from the dead! Check out the ABC’s of salvation below. If you need to discuss this please drop me a note here:
I believe salvation is as easy as ABC. Admit You’re A Sinner, Believe Jesus Is Lord, Call Upon His Name (Confess).
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Last Four Thursday Encouragement Posts: