CHOOSING THE TOUGH WAY

CHOOSING THE TOUGH WAY

And she said, Behold, your sister in law is gone back to her people, and to her gods: return you after your sister in law. (Ruth 1:15)

Dwelling still on the book of Ruth, I notice a beautiful picture of two different worlds. Having heard of the wonderful testimonies of god’s deeds among the children Israel, one would have thought that the two daughters in-law of Naomi (Orpah and Ruth) would be very excited having gone through so much pain and coming to the point whereby their aged mother in-law had decided to finally return home where they would be worshipping this true God and having a firsthand experiencing of His deeds.

The two made one decision and that was to follow Naomi to her home country, to worship her God and to live among her people but after weighing options, Orpah reluctantly decided to return to her dead gods and to her people whom she had left with a price.

Jesus had paid the price and purchased us away from Satan and his world unto Himself. No amount of options post by challenges that comes our ways should make us look back favourably to the world we’ve been bought from with a price. We should come to the point where we are willing to obey the words of Jesus totally. He who bought us with His blood said:”And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:30 NIV

It wasn’t an easy decision to make but Ruth chooses the tough way and cut herself off from that which could return her to her-former ways.

Have you heard the saying that “a bird in hand is better than a thousand on the tree”? Yes, it is true to the reasoning of the world’s view. But that is not how faith works. Our journey as well as that which Ruth embarks on is based on the Word of God we’ve heard and though not seen at the moment. If it was profitable to Ruth, it shall be to you and I also.

And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after 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: (Ruth 1:16 )

Notice that Orpah returns to her gods while Ruth decided to go for the God of Naomi and her people. By faith in the unknown, she pressed forward and was blessed at the end. The coming year has with it the unknown but God told me that it is THE YEAR OF GREAT HARVEST.

… Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” (Ruth 2:15, 16)

As Ruth harvested with great favour where she did not labour to plan, so shall your harvest be in the coming year. Make the tough choice today to stay sticking to God and His word for you and your harvest will surpass every human understanding in Jesus name.

By: Jerry Otoyo (Copyright 23/12/2013)