In Spite Of...

Good Afternoon!

Well, Fay is out of the way, but there is a small chance Gustav comes to visit this Labor Day Weekend. (Sorry, I tried to find something that rhymed with Gustav, but I got nothing.)

A conversation this weekend led me to think about the story of Rahab and the 2 spies she harbored (found in Joshua 2). I have been thinking about that fact that she lied to the King of Jericho and yet everything seemed to work out perfectly. The spies got away and the Israelites eventually conquered the land.

... so did God overlook that lie? Did he allow it simple because it would benefit the spies?

Brother Andrew had a policy when taking Bibles into foreign countries: he would not lie to the guards when asked if he Bibles. Why? Because lying is a sin.

So, let's call it for what it was. Rahab lied. Why then did God bless the situation? Because He is in control and sovereign and merciful and gracious.

And even when I think of my own life, isn't this true? How many times have I figuratively shaken my fist at God in defiance and received blessings in return? That's not this say that this is God's modus operandi, but in His mercy, He chooses to bless us. I look at my life now, and I see how many blessings I truly have, and I am blown away. If we truly got what we deserved, we would be in Hell, right? So this truth is applicable in our lives. In spite of our sin, God chooses to bless us, and He's the simple reason why: He loves us.

Then, don't we need to make it our effort to please Him in return? 2 Corinthians says that we should make it our goal to please God. How many goals do we have? Get an A in this class; save money; get prepared for the future. So many goals. Well, add one to the list... Please God. Make it your goal to please Him because He loves you and blesses you.

MTI