A Woman Who Trusted God’s Promise to Her

Scripture describes Rahab as “a harlot” in Joshua 2:1. But her past sins fade away when we see how she risked her own life to help Joshua’s men spy out the land.

Rahab knew what was about to happen to her city, and she acknowledged God’s sovereignty. “...for the lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below,” (Joshua 2:11).

She shared her belief and extended an offer to Joshua’s men.

She would help them in exchange for her family’s protection. The men agreed. As a result, Joshua spared Rahab. She and her family lived among the Israelites from the day the walls of her city fell. (Joshua 6:25)

Rahab took a big risk, setting her life on a course to be used by God in an even bigger way.

Rahab’s trust in God to do what He promised gave her the courage to make daring decisions.

When You Can’t Decide What to Do

Rahab’s direction to step out in faith began long before the moment the spies showed up at her door. She chose to live daily in the promises of God. We can learn so much from this brave lady!

When we live led by the Holy Spirit, we will develop confidence in our decisions. We will hear God more clearly as we trust Him to bring calm when we don’t know how to move forward. The answer is to daily release control to Him.

Let’s think of Rahab the next time we sense God leading us to deeper waters, and deeper trust. We can release fear and face life’s challenges with wisdom and risk-taking faith.

Several years ago, I had a ministry opportunity come calling. Literally.

That was the first time I realized how much I struggled with taking risks for God.

After spending days analyzing the possible outcomes of stepping out in faith, I withdrew. Remember our devotion last week? The one about Abigail and her bold action? I guess you could say I did just the opposite of what Abigail would do, but I also learned something important about myself. I wanted to discover how to become a woman who isn’t afraid to take a risk when God asks.

So I began with a question:

What am I afraid will happen if I take this risk?

Fear is a wicked foe in our lives. It comes in disguised as other things. We may believe we’re proceeding with caution or using discernment, both of which are good things. So how do we know what is holding us back? How do we separate an unholy fear from the Holy Spirit’s promptings to stay put?

Thankfully, we can look to God’s Word and pray for guidance. He is faithful to lead us and give us peace, whether we take the risk or see warning signs ahead.

A Woman Who Trusted God with Her People

When I asked myself the question above, the answer became clear. I was afraid of how my decision would affect my family. And although it’s wise for us to consider how open doors will affect our loved ones, we can’t give into fear over their future. We need to trust God with the people we love most when we move ahead with His calling.

One woman in the Bible who demonstrated trusting God with her people was named Joanna. She took a risk, even when it could’ve meant life or death. Her story gives us a great example of risk-taking faith.

“Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager...” Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Joanna’s name is only mentioned briefly in Scripture. But the words used to describe her show her willingness to go where her Savior led and help in whatever way she could. Joanna was among the devoted women who traveled with Jesus during his time on earth. She either had a terrible disease or was overcome by evil spirits. Jesus healed her, restored her, and accepted her.

Most amazing of all, Joanna supported Jesus and the apostles “out of her own means,” (Luke 8:3). Why was this such an integral detail in Joanna’s story? Joanna had connections with Herod the Tetrarch. Her husband Chuza held an important job at the palace. He was Herod’s household manager - his right hand man.

We remember Herod the Tetrarch as the one responsible for having John the Baptist beheaded. Luke 23:11 reveals how he treated Jesus. “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” Yet the wife of the man appointed to oversee his entire estate faithfully followed Jesus.

She also supported Jesus’ ministry with her family’s finances. Joanna’s role in Jesus’ ministry was a risk, but her connections to the palace didn’t deter her from her calling. She gladly risked it all for her Lord.

God rewarded Joanna for her dedication. She was among the first to see the empty tomb and learn that Jesus Christ - her Healer and Deliverer - had risen, just as he promised. Instead of caving to fear, Joanna trusted God to take care of her and her people.

God is faithful. When we feel compelled to take a risk for Him, we can trust Him with our family’s future.

Blessings,

Kristine

A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “3 Women in the Bible Who Took a Big Risk,” originally published on Crosswalk.com.