God’s Grace is for All – Family Devotion – September 2, 2020

Read: Joshua 2:8-21

For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Joshua 2:11

God’s Grace is for All

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Why did you pick her?” No one in the class could believe that Zach had picked the new girl, Maddie, for his kickball team. Maddie had moved from a different state, and this was her first day of fifth grade in her new school. Everyone knew that Dillon and Audrey were great at kickball, but Maddie? Who would want her on the team?

Zach did. Zach had some secret information. He knew that Maddie was a soccer star at her previous school, and she was going to be a great addition to the team. And sure enough, Maddie helped Zach win the big game that first day of school. Everyone was surprised by the new girl, and quickly they were glad to have her as a part of their school family.

The words we heard for the devotion today were spoken by another surprising pick, a woman named Rahab. Joshua and the Israelites had sent two spies to secretly check out the Promised Land that God was going to give them. They ended up hiding at Rahab’s house, and she protected them.

Why was this surprising? First of all, Rahab was a foreigner and not one of the Israelites. She would have been their enemy. Secondly, Rahab had been living a sinful life. Who would want to be around her?

However, there was some secret information about this woman that the spies didn’t know, but God did. Rahab had faith in the one true God. She was the one who spoke the words we heard today: “For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Rahab had faith in the Savior God of Israel and trusted that she had forgiveness and life in him.

(Here’s one more “secret” cool fact about Rahab: Not only was she an unexpected believer that God used to help the spies that day, but Rahab actually became a mother in the family line of Jesus! The promised Savior she trusted became one of her descendants. Cool!)

What an amazing story! Through Rahab, God helps us to understand something that he doesn’t want to be a secret. Jesus is the Savior of all sinners of all places of all time! So when you see other people around your city, around the country, or around the world, rejoice in the best news of all. Jesus died for them just like Jesus died for you, and one day you will be together with all believers in the Promised Land of heaven. Now that’s a secret worth telling!

Closing Prayer:

God of all nations, thank you for sending your Son to die for the sins of all people. Just as you used Rahab in a special way, use me to be your special servant. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• How did God use Rahab to help his people?
• What lesson about God did the spies learn when they met the believer Rahab?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• If you were one of the spies, what would have been some sinful reasons for pre-judging Rahab before you got to know her?
• What are some sinful reasons we pre-judge other people in this world before we get to know them?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Matthew 1:5 is the verse that tells us Rahab was in the family line of King David and of Jesus. What reasons would God have for including her in the list of the Jesus’ family?
• Explain this statement: Sometimes the biggest problem that keeps me from sharing Jesus with other people is my own pride.

Hymn: CW 391:1,3-4 – God Loved the World So that He Gave

God loved the world so that he gave His only Son the lost to save
That all who would in him believe Should everlasting life receive.

God would not have the sinner die—His Son with saving grace is nigh.
His Spirit in the Word does teach How we the blessed goal may reach.

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son Forgives the sins that you have done.
You’re justified by Jesus’ blood; Baptized, you are a child of God.