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Topic: Painful But Profitable
[DCLM Daily Manna 12 February 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Ruth 1:6-22 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee for whether thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16,17).
MESSAGE:
A country’s president had initially vied for the highest office in the land but failed at the first attempt. Four years later, he came out to vie for the same office and again he failed. Yet, he made a third attempt and did not succeed. When he now decided to try for the fourth time, some people felt there was no point in doing so for he appeared seemingly unelectable. But he was adamant, went through all the campaign rigours and at last succeeded. Talk of iron-cast determination.
In ancient Israel, the period of Judges was one of war and unrest. At this time, there was famine in Israel during which the man, Elimelech decided to go to sojourn in Moab, a Gentile nation, with his wife, Naomi and two sons. While in Moab, they married Moabite women. In the process of time, both the husband and the two sons died, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah and without any children.
Information reached Naomi that the situation in her home country had improved as the Lord had visited His people. It was now time to go back home. She naturally appealed to her daughters-in-law to remain in the country Moab, remarry and raise families. After weeping for a while, Orpah decided to go back to Moab but Ruth clave to her mother-in-law. And in the most emotionally touching language she said “…whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (verse 16). And so both of them returned to Israel.
By going to Israel, Ruth would become a worshipper of the true God. She was to be chosen of God to establish the lineage that would produce the world’s Saviour. Where does your allegiance lie? How determined are you to follow Jesus to the end in spite of all odds?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A man’s decision will ultimately determine his destiny.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 4-6
