Your God Will Be My God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday January 16, 2017

Topic: Your God Will Be My God

Text: Ruth 1:11 – 18       

The story of Ruth took place sometime during the rule of the judges that is one reason the book is found immediately after Judges in then scriptures. The period was dark days for Israel, when “the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). That was a clear evidence that the people had forgotten God and the covenant they have with Him. But during those dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God.

In this book of Ruth, Naomi and Ruth were beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship, and commitment; to God and to each other. Within the brief sojourn of the family of Elimelech in the land of Moab, Ruth might have observed them worshipping the God of Israel. That might have left an indelible impression in her and that might have motivated her to kept faith with Naomi despite the ordeals she has passed through occasioned by the death of her husband.

The way we act during ordeals, afflictions, trials and temptations go a long way to affecting people around us either positively or negatively. We shouldn’t undermine what the effect our actions and reactions will have on others. Therefore we should be very mindful of our actions and utterances

Read the words of Ruth to Naomi in 1:16, 17. What could have inspired such words and vow from Ruth? Outside divine revelation, she had noticed the difference between her god and God of Israel. She had also seen the kind of faith exhibited by Naomi.

As Christians, wherever we find ourselves, whether in our locality or outside our locality, we should live well because someone is watching. Do not think you are out of view of your pastor or parents and you can now behave the way you like. Christian lives are gospel message to the world. Our actions speak louder than our voices. Therefore we should be mindful of what we say or do. Our words and actions can either win people for Christ or chase them away.

Food for Thought: Our lives preach better messages than our words.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 16 - But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God (ESV).

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father may my life be a challenge to people I meet on daily basis in Jesus name Amen.

Return To Your People

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 15, 2017

Topic: Return To Your People

Text: Ruth 1:6 – 10  

There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world even in our present day society. They are still not recognised. They are to be seen and not heard. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored as in the days of Naomi. They were almost always poverty stricken. Some were denied of assess to their late husband’s wealth.

It was for the above reason, God’s law, therefore, provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow; but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. However, she decided to go back to Israel.

As she set to go, the daughters’ inlaw, Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. Though she had right over Orpah and Ruth as daughters in law, she didn’t want to stick to that right. That is a challenge for us in the action of Naomi. Most times, we stick to our right as Christians and that doesn’t work well in most cases. She encouraged them to return to their people to start live anew. This is a selfless attitude that is required to live well as a Christian. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. She would have stood on her right at least to have someone live with her. As she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives anew, even though that would mean hardship for her.

Like Naomi, we (Christians) must consider the needs of others and not just our own. As Naomi discovered, when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example. This led to the reaction of Ruth as we shall see tomorrow in our devotion. We should note that service to others is the justification for our existence and self-sacrifice is our highest moral duty, virtue and value which we should show to people we meet on daily basis.

Food for Thought: Selfless acts are always good examples for people especially the goodly, to follow.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 8 - And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to consider the needs of others as I take decisions concerning my welfare in Jesus name. Amen.

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.

When There Is Famine

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday January 12, 2017         

Topic: When There Is Famine

Text: Ruth 1:1

The story of Ruth takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the judges. These were dark days for Israel, when the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). Such period is usually challenging to the faith of those who believe in God. It takes grit and determination to persist in the faith is such period.

Ruth, who is the main person spoken of in this book was subject to many afflictions and yet eventually, God gave her good and joyful offspring, teaching us to abide with patience till God delivers us out of troubles. Are you undergoing an affliction that has shaken your faith to its foundation? Have people concluded that your case is over and there is no more hope for you? Let this story of Ruth be a great source of encouragement for you.

We depend on God for the comforts of this life, as well as the life to come; and without His blessing, notwithstanding all human efforts, the earth would never yield a harvest. This was the case of Israel in the time of Elimelech and Naomi. This resulted to famine in the land and Elimelech took his family to Moab. Abraham did it by going to Egypt and Isaac wanted to do it too but God stopped him.

Most times, when there is famine in the land, it is usually the consequences of our sin. Running away from the land will not be the best. The first step is to seek the face of God in repentance. The famine some of us are facing now maybe sickness, no job, unfavourable business, failure in exams, problems in your marriage, delayed conception, etc. Running away as Elimelech did is not always the solution.

Some people ran away from their land because of famine, but not all have succeeded. There were people who stayed back and God remembered them. We should always seek the face of God when we are confronted with problems or else we will take decisions that might affect us adversely.

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:19

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 1 - In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

Prayer: Read Psalm 33:18 – 22 and use it to pray.