God’s Far Reaching Grace

Monday, October 19

Joshua 2:1 (NIV)“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.”

Devotion

Joshua was asking the two spies to look over the land—to be the eyes of the people and know what was there. Why they stepped into the house of a prostitute is not known. Perhaps they were trying to hide their true intentions as to why they were in Jericho in case they were found out. Perhaps they did not know what kind of place they were at, and it was just the nearest door to slip into as the guards passed by. Even so, there is the possibility that they could have been there for all the reasons that other men stopped at that house. Although it is unknown whether there was some personal agenda on the part of the spies for stopping there, we do know that God’s grace was at work in the life of Rahab, if not in the lives of the spies as well. 

Pastor Franklin commented on how sometimes our ungodly acts or wrong intentions are not brought to light and are something just between God and ourselves. That in itself is an act of God’s mercy. Yet, we do not use that as a reason to continue in sin. Rather, knowing firsthand God’s great mercy toward us, we love and serve Him all that much more. God’s grace in those instances is a teaching grace that whispers in our hearts where we have gone astray and urges us back onto the right path.

Continuing with the story of Rahab and the spies, Rahab ended up hiding the spies, and she and her family came to be spared because of this. The person who was referred to in the Bible three times as “Rahab the prostitute” became part of the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating that God’s grace reaches everyone, no matter their social standing or past sins. Once she became part of the lineage of Jesus, she was no longer referred to as “the prostitute.” This is much like ourselves, as we have a new identity in Christ. Once we become part of His family through salvation, having been restored to our Heavenly Father, our past no longer dictates who we are.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your far-reaching grace and mercy. Help me never to take Your grace for granted but to allow it to lead me to repentance and a life that honors You. Thank You that in Christ, my past no longer defines me, and I am made new in You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Apply It Today

God’s grace reaches us regardless of our past mistakes or social standing. Instead of taking His mercy for granted, let it draw us closer to Him, lead us to repentance, and remind us that our identity is found in Christ, not in our past. 

Resources

• Missed yesterday’s message? Don’t miss the blessing of watching it! Tune in to “God Puts Those Kind In His Bloodline” and be encouraged by the reminder of God’s grace and His power to redeem.
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 8:1. Be reminded that in Christ, you are made new and are no longer defined by condemnation.