May 1, 2019 -- Hebrews 11:30-31 -- Captured by Faith

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Hebrews 11:30-31 ESV

One of the great privileges of being a driver at Enterprise is that I can listen to sermons as I deliver cars from one city to another. While listening through Hebrews, as Rev. Brian Borgman preaches it verse by verse, I was so moved by the sermon included below. What struck me is the extravagance of God’s great salvation. We expect Joshua, and by extension the people who believe in God, to be saved by faith. What a glorious picture, for seven days the Israelites marched around Jericho—they were an army commanded to be silent as they marched and the noise leading them was the priests blew the rams’ horns. (From my studies I understand the sounding of the rams’ horns, a.k.a. “shofar”, on the Day of Shofar signals the presence of the LORD.) Not until the seventh day did the army shout as the priests blew the rams’ horns and the walls fell down. The victory is the LORD’s. The LORD is Present. He is great and glorious. He brings victory.

Then the writer of Hebrews goes on and mentions Rahab’s faith. A prostitute. A foreigner in the land being given to the people of God. Yet she believed in the victory God was giving to His people and in faith acted. What a sharp contrast. We expect Joshua and the Israelites to be saved. However, Rahab is quite unexpected. That is the glory of our God! He does the unexpected.

No matter how great you think your sins are. No matter what tangles and wretchedness is yours, the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ is wider, stronger, greater, and able to break the chains of hell threatening to choke us. Do not look to yourself or your sins. Look to Jesus Christ. Let the Word of God stirring in your heart by the Spirit of God lift Your heart and your faith to Him Who alone can rescue you. Confess your sins as you put your trust in Jesus. Follow Jesus. Read the Word and turn away from your sin.

Ah, God of Victory and Salvation, Who is like You? Strong and mighty, gracious and patient—blessed be Your Name. Thank You for the victory of faith that rests on the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit Who makes the Truth of Scripture so powerfully relevant to us today. Let the Truth of Your Word seep deep into our souls so that those who are afraid to trust You learn to lean on You and find in You the glorious, wondrous joy of Your healing forgiveness. Let us who do trust in You already, grow in our faith, grow in joy, and grow in holy boldness as we serve You. Praise be Your Name! Let Your glory and Your renown be over all the earth. Amen.

I recommend that you take 45 minutes or so and listen to the sermon included below. You will be blessed. As I mentioned, it is from Brian Borgman and it is from this very passage.

http://mp3.sa-media.com/filearea/623102242444/623102242444.mp3