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
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.
