"And the rulers said to them, 'Let [the Gibeonites] live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.'"

When God spares us and shows us mercy, it is better than death. It is better to live than to suffer his wrath. The goodness of God in redemption is better than sin. It is better to serve him now.

God is good! Let this be known to all. He gives forgiveness and cleansing. The Gibeonites sought mercy, and they got it. They came cleverly, because they feared God's anger.

Joshua 9:9,
They replied to Joshua, “Your servants have come from a far away land because of the reputation of the Lord your God. For we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt,

Joshua 9:11,
So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.”’

Take with you words and plead mercy [Hosea 14:2]. You will not die and live. He will spare you.

First, he will let us live! "And the rulers said to them, 'Let them live.'" Our sins will not be held against us. Having been punished in the death of Christ, they are gone! He paid for them in full, and God will never punish them twice.

"Payment God will not twice demand,
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine."

Judgment and justice are on our side. We believe in Christ, as commanded, so we shall live. We have come to be his servants, and he has spares us.

He will give us power over sin! Oh, bless God. He hasn't only spared us from wrath, but he gives new life. He gives the Holy Spirit and a new nature. He regenerates us and makes us his children. He adopts us into the family and dwells in us by the Spirit. He gives us comfort that can be felt. He gives us peace.

Oh, Christianity is not the boring drudgery that the Devil pretends. It is the greatness of serving Christ and walking with him; it is being in fellowship with the One who is love.

Secondly, we are "woodcutters and water carriers." We are servants and slaves of God. We do what he tells us. We have abandoned our life for his, forsaking everything [Luke 14:33]. We gave up mother, father, sister, and brother, yes, even our own life, so that he can rule us [Luke 14:26].

Oh, how good it is. Walking in holiness by the power of the Spirit is the BEST LIFE imaginable; it is purity and goodness, honesty and justice; it is love. To love like God and do others good is high honor. This is not drudgery, because he helps us.

1 John 5:3-4,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

We no longer use people to vainly serve ourselves. We live in truth and righteousness, pointing others to Christ. We help people obtain salvation, and we deal justly with them. Servants honor masters, and masters honor servants with dignity and respect. The rich care for the poor, and the poor work. Everything is right in the kingdom; it is perfect living.

Deuteronomy 4:7-8,
"For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to Him? And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?"

Many hate serving God, because they do not understand the Spirit. They try hard in themselves, and Satan is too strong… the flesh is too weak. In serving by the Spirit, however, there is rest and peace… there is help. Oh, look to God for your service. Do not carry the burden.

Thirdly, salvation is a promise. "As the rulers had promised them.'" They regretted sparing the Gibeonites, but they could not go back on their word. Joshua 9:19 All the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them." Likewise, God has promised eternal life to all who trust him, and he will not go back! Our sins after salvation will not hinder him. Our illustrious falls won't dampen his love. The blood of Christ is still perfect atonement. Forgiveness is still in full.

Draw near to experience your full salvation. You've lost none of it. Your greatest inheritance is God himself, and you are his. Hebrews 8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." He will fellowship with you and burn your heart with love. Luke 24:32," They said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" He will draw near, so draw near to him!