Theme:   Love Sex and Marriage - Q & A

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ: Joshua 2:8-17; Joshua 6: 25; Matthew 5: 5

THINK:  While Pastor Ben fielded the many relationship questions sent in, I thought again of Rahab in the Old Testament. You might recall Pastor Ben spoke about the importance of knowing our own past and the baggage we bring with us into relationships. Knowing that our sin can have lasting effects on ourselves AND on others we are in relationship with is critical. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be detrimental – Because God allows us to work through and past them with His help!

Rahab was known by all as a prostitute guilty of sexual immorality and one who had lived far from God’s design for life. She was certainly aware of her sin in a way that most of us do not have to deal with; she was a social outcast and far from being accepted as one of God’s people. Yet because she was aware of her sin she was able to allow God to work through her to change history for God’s chosen people.

Though I’m sure many found it hard to look beyond Rahab’s past, God was able to work through her willing heart to save Joshua and Salmon the spies. She even later became the mother of Boaz, a man respected for his love of God and knowledge of the law and a direct ancestor to Christ.

DO: Remember that despite our past God can turn our messes into opportunities for him to do amazing things. Spend some time thinking about issues in your past where you need God to make changes. Be honest with Him about your feelings, worries, and how it holds you back from living the life He desires for you. It often is helpful to reach out for some Christian counseling to fully deal with some issues.

PRAY: Lord you know our past and how the effects carry over into our lives now and the lives of those around us. We thank you that you can use anything for our good and ask for you to work in those areas of our lives in which we feel stuck and even ashamed. Please help us to receive your forgiveness, move past those events and to have compassion on those working through their own issues. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.