Thursday 7 Aug 2014

August 7: Ruth 1:11-17

Key Verse: Ruth 1:14
Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

Devotion:
The book of Ruth is an amazing story of how people act when they come to know God in their own hearts. Orpah said the right things but turned away when the going was about to get tough and unknown. Ruth, on the other hand, was willing to give it all up so that she would be able to be with God and Naomi. It takes a lot of courage to go into something totally new and unknown, trusting in someone else instead of yourself.

Ruth had to trust in what Naomi was going to do and say as well as trusting in God for everything. God had allowed things to happen in their lives that convinced both Naomi and Ruth that this was not what God wanted them to continue doing; so they packed up everything and went back to Naomi’s birthplace and people. They did not know what lay ahead but they were willing to entrust their lives back in God’s hands.

Sometimes it does take a drastic change in our own lives before we see that God wants us to do something for Him instead of living for ourselves. Sometimes that is going to go against what you think is logical and will test you to the limits. But as long as you are listening to God and trusting Him for guidance, then you will be going to a much better place. Ruth was willing to give up her life to find this God that Naomi was so fond of, and so she did.

Being with God does not necessarily mean that you have to give up everyone in your life and everything that you have; but if you are willing to do that if asked to, then you are stepping in the right direction. When God asks you to do something it is not because there is nobody else to do it; He knows you are the best person to do that job! And if you are the best person for the job then He will try to get you to do it. Be willing to give God more control in your own life and He will show you how much you can do with Him!

Points to Ponder:
Are you willing to give up your habits?

Are you listening to God?