Read: James 2:25-26

James' second example of "practising what you preach" comes from Joshua 2.

In Israel's history, one of their heroines is a woman named Rahab. She is not even Jewish. And she is a prostitute.

When the Hebrew slaves whom Moses rescued from Egyptian slavery came to Canaan - the land God promised to give them to be a nation, they encountered the fortress city of Jericho known for its intimidating walls. Their leader decided to dispatch a couple of scouts in to study to lay of the land.

But unfortunately , the reputation of these Egyptian defeating slaves preceeded them. When the king caught wind of the scouts presence, he quickly sent soldiers after them.

With the soldiers on their tail, the scouts stumbled in the Rahab's house. It turns out Rahab has heard about Isreal's God also. In fact, she wants his favour, in exchange for helping the spies ny misdirecting the soldiers, and engineering their escape.

James says Rahab wanted to know the Jewish God, and she acted out her desire to be his friend by acting out her alligence to him at great risk. Rahab lived out her wish to be God's friend.

Write
Think about your faith story: have you ever "risked" yourself for being a Christian? Have you ever kept your faith a secret to escape attention?

Where in your life do you feel challenged about standing for your faith?

Who do you know is struggling to keep their faith quiet?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about the risk you have taken by letting your faith known. Tell God about the situations where you feel pressure to keep you faith hidden.

Ask God for wisdom to know when to stand up for your faith, and when to keep quiet.

Pray for your friend in their struggle. Ask God how you can help.

Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy as you risk yourself by taking a stand for your faith, and stay true to your friendship with God.