Hebrews 11:31 says "By faith - because she believed in God and his power - Rahab the harlot did not die with all the others in her city (Jericho) when they refused to obey God, for she gave a friendly welcome to the spies."

I love the Lord because he wasted no time being sanctimonious.

He allowed a prostitute called Mary to anoint his feet, while others whispered about his "spirituality." He took risks on people; aren't you glad? He even used Rahab the harlot, then listed her in his "Royal Family." Now there's a family secret most of us would have shied away from revealing - but not our Lord. He tells us about this woman whose shameful reputation was cleansed and forgiven and He wants you to now that He'll do the same for you, too, if you'll only come to him by faith.

God's grace is displayed most clearly in the lives of failed people. In Hebrews 11:16 we read that 'God is not ashamed to be called their God." I'm so glad he wasn't ashamed of Rahab, for that means he isn't ashamed of me either.

How about you? If he could brag about Rahab's faith beside men like Moses and Samuel, then who are we to condemn anybody?

What a wonderful thing it is to be adopted and acknowledged by God. Romans 8:15 tells us that he gives his name to the nameless, and removes all the shame of the past.

"And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God's very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, "Father, Father."

No wonder sinners loved him. He who had every right to throw stones never threw one. How strange that we who have no right are so quick to judge.

The good news is, you may have failed, but God will forgive you, and the Holy Spirit will rebuild you - if you'll just turn to him today.