โ๏ธ Daily Devotional - May 31, 2021
๐ Worship:ย If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Good News" by Mandisa. Why not try asking alexa, siri, or google to play it for you?!ย
๐งก Daily Verse: May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.โ
โ Ruth 2:12 NLT
๐ Let's Talk About It: God is truly our refuge! No matter what is happening in life, we can turn to Him!
Ruth was a gentile. She was actually a Moabite. Moabites were pagans who worshipped the god Chemesh. This is significant because she is ancestor to Christ.
That's right! After her husband died, Ruth followed her mother-in-love, Naomi, back to Naomi's native land of Bethlehem (which means house of bread - no wonder Christ is called the Bread of Life).
Ruth eventually married Boaz, and they gave birth to a son named Obed. Obed gave birth to Jesse, Jesse to David, and if you continue to follow the lineage, to Christ Himself.
Think of that...a pagan women was the great-great (great) grandmother of Jesus. She renounced what she thought was truth for the actual truth, that the God of Israel is faithful!
He is a refuge and rewards those who are loyal, humble, and willing to be of service to others. She was an encouragement to Naomi when Naomi was completely destitute. Loyalty means alot to people, but it means even more to God.
Today, I want to encourage you that God is on your side, friend. If you have been sowing that which you wish not to reap, then stop, repent, come back to the Father, and allow Christ to wash you anew. There is nothing you've done that He cannot forgive.
No one would believe God would use a pagan, but think about the woman at the well. She was the first evangelist, a Samaritan woman. The last truly became first during Christ's ministry! And the good, Good News is that His ministry continues today!
๐ Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You have called me out of the darkness and into your marvelous light. Lord, thank You for all You have done, are doing, and will do. You are a good, GOOD, God. Thank You for never discounting me. Lord, You know I am not always kind to myself. Help me to break free from perfectionism and learn to walk in my calling with boldness while retaining a humble heart. My God You are so amazing and I give You praise, honor, and glory forever. May Your will be done, Father. In Jesus name I pray, amen!