"Thou believeth that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, o vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?"

(Jas. 2: 19-20; 25)

Rahab was not an Israelite. She was a Canaanite, living in Jericho as a prostitute at the time when the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The Canaanites were enemies of God. So why would the God of Israel single her out as an example of faith?

The second chapter of Joshua tells the story of how she told two Hebrew spies in her home how everyone had heard of God's miracles and were in great fear. The people of Jericho, however, had decided to put their trust in their 'invincible,' walled city and were prepared to fight.

Rahab believed that the god of Israel was the true God. She received the spies in peace, hid them, prayed for her salvation and that of her whole household, and then showed them a way of escape. She did two very important things. First she put her faith to action by not fearing her people's enemies and hiding them. That act caused the spies to grant her favor. They knew they could trust her.

After having gained favor by acting on her faith, Rahab then asked to be saved from the total destruction which she knew in her heart would surely happen. Her request was granted! She and her whole family were the only ones saved when Jericho was destroyed.

It is hard to talk about Rahab without also mentioning Ruth. (Be sure to read the whole Book of Ruth. It's inspiring, concise and full of promise) As an outcast, also belonging to a nation that was the enemy of Israel, Ruth set out to demonstrate her faith in the God of Israel by working humbly, without grumbling and being a blessing to her mother-in-law. She did not demand anything. She was content to pick up the few remaining kernels after the harvesters had passed by.

It was not by accident that she was at God's appointed time and place when the boss happened to come by and noticed her out of a whole crowd of women gleaners! Nor was it coincidence that of all the fields in Bethlehem she could have gleaned in, she found herself in the one owned by Boaz.

Having put her faith to action, she was now in a position to humbly ask him for a favor. Not only was she granted special privileges and safety, but eventually Boaz married her! Who was he? Boaz was Rahab's son! Ruth and Boaz became the great-grandparents of David, from whose lineage came Jesus, the Messiah! Yet it took the faith of two women from two separate enemy nations to make this come to pass!

Was there no Hebrew woman who could match Rahab's faith, and was there no one more faith-filled than Ruth in all of Bethlehem to marry Boaz? It is also interesting to note that Boaz, who was surely eligible and a man of distinction, was available at the Lord's appointed time!

God uses faith in action. When you were saved, your spirit was reconnected to the Holy Spirit. But faith is spirit, and has to be connected to the body. That's the part you have to activate. It's not enough to be a believer and be a-hoping and a-praying that God will find you a job, heal you and make you rich. You have to work out your faith and expect miracles.

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (jas. 2: 26)

What do you think this means: "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18: 8)I don't think the Lord refers here to all the believers in the earth. He is looking for those who display their faith and do His Will.

Are you standing firm in your faith without compromise when challenged by unbelievers? Rahab's actions in the face of her enemies were rewarded in due time; so will yours. Just like Rahab and Ruth, remember that when you put your faith into action, you will discover that it's God who gives the increase and causes miracles in your life!