Life Capsule for Today 18th Mar.2024
Theme: Ruth (2)
Memory Verse: Rom 10:11
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” NKJV
Topic: Ruth bearing the shame of faith
Today’s Reading: Ruth 1:19-22
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabites her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. NKJV
Words of the Ministry:
As we read the story of Ruth and Naomi, it brings to mind some of the several shames we must bear for the Lord. Ruth was a Moabite who served a different God. In those days the Land of Mob was flourishing with plenty as even the children of Israel like Naomi and Elkanah had to relocate to Moab with their sons to make ends meet. The same Naomi happened to be Ruth’s mother in-law. One could only imagine the side talks that would have be going on immediately Naomi lost her husband and sons making Ruth and Orpah widows. Many would have said she was cursed by her evil and weak God, some would have advised Ruth to avoid Naomi as not only was their land in famine but their God was weak and evil. Naomi too feeling the guilt advised her daughter in-laws to go get married to their countrymen as she believed God was against her, Orpah agreed but Ruth refused, even when Naomi told Ruth there was nothing to hope for as she can’t raise another son to marry her while Ruth could still get married and bare children but Ruth insisted she would not only follow Naomi but also serve her God.
I can imagine Orpah the other wife advising Ruth to forget about Naomi that she believed the linage is cursed, not only did they lose their husbands, they also did not get pregnant before the demise of their husbands. Ruth’s parents would have asked her what she was looking for in Bethlehem, a city suffering famine and early death, a country that serve a God that murders his people. On returning to Bethlehem, the matter got worse as the people also asked about Naomi’s family, she again broke into tears narrating how God has death with her. Ruth was in the midst of Israelites that never loved the Moabites, she must have been a laughing stock with the Israelites saying God must have judged Naomi for making her sons marry this Moabites women. One can imagine the shame of the young widow Ruth in a foreign land. Should she have cause to smile to a young man, the older women would have called him to warn him of the evil associated with those in Moab, how she lost her husband and remain childless after many years.
Saints the story of Ruth is like the story of many of us, we left houses, jobs, opportunities, friend and a golden future to follow Christ. Many have suffered more in their few years of being saved than in the entire life they spent in sin. You may have been reproached for forsake Christ. They may have cited examples of some that left the world for Christ, and they have nothing to write home about, how some even lost their lives at a young age despite being Christians. You might have been told stories of individuals that provided for their communities but can barely pay their bills because they chose Christ. I like to encourage you with this verse 2 Tim 2:10-12 “10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” KJV. Our calling is not without suffering, but our temporary suffering works out a greater reward (Rom 8.18). We must persevere to the end as those that would live a Godly life would suffer persecution (2 Thim 3.12). Join us tomorrow as we consider the progress of Ruth’s walk with God May the Lord grant us light.
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