There are four women who are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. One might think they would be Sarah or Rebeka..or even Rachel or Leah...the wives of the Old Testament patriarchs..but instead they are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba...three of whom had morally questionable backgrounds.
Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father in law. Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah came. Rahab was a Gentile, and a prostitute in Jericho, who became a believer in the God of Abraham. She also became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth.
Ruth was morally upright, but as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore was considered unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David, whom the Jews regard as a great king. Bathsheba commited adultery with David. Later, she gave birth to King Solomon, from whose royal line Jesus descended.
When I see these stories in the scriptures, I am reminded that He..Jesus..is greater than our sins. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. Even when the world might want to disqualify us, He qualifies us...to be His..and to be blessed..and to be loved!
God is a God of second chances. He is actually a God of many chances. The stories of these women show us that even when we have troubles of our own making, they do not have to be final or even fatal. When we turn to Him, He can change any situation. He can change hearts. He can change us. He forgives. He loves. He restores. He can even use the most difficult thing to bring glory to His name!
Friends, do not look at your natural circumstances and therefore be discouraged. Trust the One who redeems your life from destruction, and who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Trust the One Who qualifies the disqualified!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment