One thing that I love about God is the people he chooses to use for his glory.  Joshua sent out spies to check out Jericho.  The spies hide out at Rahab the Harolt's house.  Questions arise to why they were at a harlot's house in the first place.  The original Hebrew makes it clear that they were probably mixing business with pleasure.  But, it is possible that God led them there with her house being part of Jericho's wall.  

Rahab enters the redemptive story simply by hiding the spies and telling them when and where to go.  The most profound part of this story is when she told the spies all about Yahweh and that when Israel came to take their land like Yahweh promised, they should spare her.  They agreed making a binding covenant between Israel and Rahab.

I say that Rahab had more faith than the spies and even Joshua.  If Joshua had faith, he wouldn't have sent the spies!  But, Rahab knew what God would deliver through on his promise.

God used Rahab the Harlot to further the Upper and Lower Story!  Rahab is important in our faith because she demonstrated enough faith, despite being of ill-repute, that God chose her to to be in the lineage of David and eventually Jesus.

Have you noticed that we have this insatiable need for details?  We can't function without everything being laid out.  I understand this is a generalization for all of society.  This isn't completely fair.  But, I know the overwhelming part of society struggle with "not knowing".  I would assert that Facebook feeds off this desire.  It is why Facebook is SO addicting.  

But, it is also the case when something bad happens.  We have this insatiable need to define the exact cause and fully understand why.  Now I am not suggesting not exploring it and learning from it.  After all, in manufacturing, I taught the Japenese notion of "Poka-yoke".  The idea that you fix something so that it doesn't ever happen again!

But, with life it isn't always that simple.  I believe that by living by biblical principles, you set yourself up to succeed.  However, sin still exists and evil can still have its way.  

Joseph's story in the Bible is a clear example of where faith should enter our lives.  Joseph didn't know the Upper Story, God's intentional will for Joseph's life.  Joseph just kept his faith in Yahweh and over time, God continued to reveal himself.  Pretty soon, it was clear that what his brothers intended for evil, God worked in for good.  Joseph's brothers failed, but God still prevailed.

So it is in our life.  I fail often [unfortunately], but God still uses me to accomplish his will.  My prayer has always been "Lord, let me work where you are working.  Let me get out of your way.  Use me to be an instrument of your love, grace, and mercy. Amen"  

In the end, where I fail, God will INDEED prevail.