Tracing Grace Through the Ages
The Daily Devotional
Friday, June 27, 2025
Tracing Grace Through the Ages
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Introduction
While pursuing his Master’s degree in Theology, Kenny—the writer of The Daily Devotional—found himself unexpectedly captivated by the sweeping, complex story of church history. He entered seminary with a hunger to understand Scripture more deeply, but it was the study of the Church’s past—the good, the bad, and the undeniably ugly—that stirred something profound in him. Paul’s words to the Romans gave him a vital framework: what was recorded in former days wasn’t preserved to shame us but to instruct and encourage us, so that we might persevere in faith and hold fast to hope.
Reflection
Over the course of fifteen years, Kenny lovingly restored a 1960 Chris-Craft yacht that he owned. It was no small feat. Decades of weather and neglect had taken their toll—rotted wood, corroded fittings, outdated wiring. But Kenny saw its potential. Piece by piece, season by season, he replaced boards, refinished mahogany, modernized systems, and brought the vessel back to life. The final result wasn’t flawless—but it was seaworthy, beautiful in its imperfections, and a joy to navigate.
Studying church history felt remarkably similar. As Kenny examined the centuries—from the courage of martyrs and the wisdom of reformers to the darker episodes of division, power struggles, and abuse—he came to understand the Church as something like that old yacht: deeply loved, weathered by time, and always in need of careful restoration. The beauty was never in its perfection, but in its persistence—its ability to carry the gospel forward across turbulent waters, century after century, by the grace of God.
Application
Like Kenny, we are each part of a spiritual vessel that has seen both calm seas and storms.
Take time to learn about a chapter of church history—perhaps the early desert fathers, the Reformation, or a missionary movement.
Let the stories of courage and failure alike deepen your appreciation for God’s enduring faithfulness.
Ask yourself: What part do I play today in preserving what is holy, correcting what is broken, and sailing forward in grace?
Conclusion
In the quiet hours of study and sanding wood, Kenny learned that restoration is a slow and sacred process. The Church’s history, much like his yacht, bears marks of both glory and decay. But the same God who guided the apostles across the Sea of Galilee still commands the waves—and He is not done with His Church. Our calling is not to deny the damage, but to trust in the One who restores.
Prayer
Faithful and Eternal God, thank You for the legacy of those who have gone before us—for their bravery, their brokenness, and the lessons they leave behind. Help us to learn from history with humility and hope. Make us faithful caretakers of the Church in our time, restoring what has been neglected and stewarding what is good. May Your Spirit guide us as we sail forward, trusting always in the grace that sustains us. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
