God Doesn’t Forget His Kindness

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday January 23, 2017

Topic: God Doesn’t Forget His Kindness

Text: Ruth 2:18 – 23             

There are some lessons in our text for the day.

1. Ruth brought back to Naomi, food provided for her by Boaz. She didn’t keep it back for her later use but for her mother in law. We should be magnanimous to share our blessing with our loved ones in the family.

2. Though Naomi was bitter about events in Moab (1:20-21), but her faith in God was still alive, as she praised God for Boaz’s kindness to Ruth. She still trusted God. We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is a new opportunity to experience God’s care and love.

3. Naomi asked Ruth how her day went and where she gleaned. Parents and guidance should examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frighten or discourage them but to commend them if they have done well, and with mildness to reprove and caution them if they haven’t done well.

4. Ruth went to glean, not knowing where to go and it just happened she went to the field owned by Boaz who just happened to be a close relative of her late husband. This was more than mere coincidence. It was God leading her.

Today, as you go about your daily tasks, God is working in your life in ways you may not even notice. We mustn’t close the door on what God can do. Events do not occur by luck or coincidence. We should have faith that God is directing our lives towards what He has purposed for us.

Food for Thought: Events we see as luck or coincidence are directed by God to fulfil His purposes in our life.

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 20 - And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, the man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen (ESV).

Prayer: Direct my steps O Lord my God to the place you have prepared to bless me this day in Jesus name.

The Bitter Experience

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday January 14, 2017

Topic: The Bitter Experience

Text: Ruth 1:3 – 5       

When God called the Israelites and brought them into the Promised Land, He discouraged friendly relations with the Moabites (Deut. 23:3-6) but probably not forbidden, since the Moabites lived outside the Promised Land. Marrying a Canaanite (and all those living within the borders of the Promised Land), however, was against God’s law (Deut. 7:1 – 4).

Moabites were not allowed to worship at the Tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the Exodus from Egypt. Unfortunately, this was the land

Elimelech chose as his destination for succour in time of famine and it left bitter experience for Naomi who survived the succour in the land of Moab.

As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standards of high moral living for the other nations. Ironically, it was Ruth, a Moabitess, whom God used as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.

There are things that can bring bitter experience for us especially when we remove ourselves from the terms of covenant we have with our God. The major thing that can bring bitter experience to us is sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s law and command.

God had set boundaries for us where we must remain or else there will be consequences. We must remain within the confines of God’s grace to enjoy that grace. We will only remain within the confines of God’s grace when we live in obedience to His word and commandments. Remember what the bible says that, he that breaks the hedge, the snake will bite.

Naomi lived 10 years in Moab and had nothing to show for it except Ruth who was used by God to console her for the wrong decision of the husband. Have you taken wrong decisions and they are now hurting and hunting you? God is ready to heal the hurt and remove the hunt if only you can return to Him and ask for forgiveness of your disobedience and sins. The choice is all yours. Have a great day.

Food for Thought: Wrong decisions can affect you and your posterity. Always seek God’s leading in your decisions.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 5 - ​ And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband (ESV).

Prayer: God, grant that I will not take decisions that will bring bitter experiences to my families in Jesus name.