DCLM Higher Everyday 16 April 2023 — Iron-cast determination
DCLM Higher Everyday 16 April 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Iron-cast determination
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TOPIC: Iron-Cast Determination
Text — Ruth 1:8-18
9The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Key Verse: “And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither 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).
Message
There are records of many youths with notable challenges who excelled in several fields and professions much better than their mates without such. A heart fully fixed and prepared for good works will receive heavenly support. Life’s game is not over until the heavenly referee (Angel) blows the trumpet for the rapture.
Our text is a story of a family of three widows, each had no child. Naomi, the eldest and mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah suggested that they leave her and return to their Moabite people. It looked like a hopeless and helpless situation. Orpah yielded to discouragement and went back to idolatry. Ruth refused to forsake Naomi who had the true God. Her decision was wise as she trusted God for a better future in Bethlehemjudah.
She identified with the God of Israel. She preferred to suffer with the godly, like Moses who forsook the throne in Egypt, to get a better kingdom. Jesus Christ has purchased the gift of eternal life for us. Temporary challenges must not hinder your heavenly inheritance, never give up.
Quote: Ruth refused to forsake Naomi
Challenge: Who will you choose: Jesus or the sinful world?
Prayer for today: My God, I choose to follow Jesus only.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
