Psalm 87: Verse 4 (NIV)
“I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
Commentators say that the reference to Rahab in this verse is a poetic reference to Egypt, but to me today its another reminder of how God changed the life of the Rahab that we read of in the second chapter of the book of Joshua. In this verse, God is saying that people who were not from Israel would acknowledge Him and thus, He would also acknowledge them and it would be as if they had been born in Zion. We use the reference to dwelling in Zion as being close to God, because He chose Jerusalem, also known as Zion, as His earthly dwelling place in the Temple. I therefore think the reference does indeed apply to Rahab, who believed that God was who He said He was, and that He could change her life. She went out on a limb to help the people of God, and God did indeed change her life. She went from being a prostitute to being the Great-Grandmother of King David.
God is no man, or woman’s debtor, and when He sees us putting our faith into action, as Rahab did, and standing on His promises, then He in turn acknowledges that. He doesn’t have to do that. He is God, and has the right to expect that we are obedient to His word, without us expecting anything in return. But we see in the life of Rahab, just how gracious and faithful He is, and that’s because although He is the eternal and mighty God, He loves us and wants to have that relationship with us that means we are as close to Him, as He was to the people when He came to the temple in Jerusalem. And I find that totally humbling and amazing.
Dear Lord,Thank You for making it possible through the work of Jesus on the cross, for all who acknowledge that sacrifice to have that relationship and closeness with You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Rahab and for her example of complete trust and obedience to You. Help me to follow that example. I ask in Jesus’