Fallen-Restored-Still Loved

There is no believer who has not sinned either before knowing Christ or after knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Everything in David's life was going pretty smooth, he was obedient to God, God had blessed him all the way in everything he did. He is king and his subjects are happy to be in his kingdom, because he deals in righteousness and does what is good for his people.
In spite of such a good record, David slips, he sins against a good man named Uriah and acquires his wife, after plotting his murder in the battle field. God is disappointed with David's actions, and David loses the son he has through Bathsheba (Uriah's wife). David sinned!!! However, he was quick to ask for forgiveness and get right with the Lord. Later he did have to face the consequences of the sin.
We are so glad to receive all that we want, from God, however there are times, when we compromise our stand in the Lord, for petty pleasures/wants. Yes faith works, but that is not all that God wanted us to learn, He would love to have children who are well built in character,

Lessons I learnt

1. Anything outstandingly good in our behaviour, can come ONLY through a relationship with Jesus-David was a wonderful king, a successful king because God was with him, so also if there be anything good that comes out of our life, its because of our Loving Lord Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.So also, for us who believe in Jesus, we are prompted and encouraged to do good, even to people who hurt you, through our Lord Jesus."22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." So if we thought goodness is inherent of a human being, its not. Yes we can easily do good to people who hurt, to people who are equal in our status, people who are good to us, but can we like David, be good to a person's kid, who continuously tried to kill him? Now these are good deeds, which will be remembered forever.
2. Sin is falling short of God's mark and also not doing what we're supposed to do-"There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". David is a wonderful mentor for someone who wants to be a man after God's own heart, however he too sinned. You know why David sinned, because in this record, David was NOT DOING WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. "1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men .......But David remained in Jerusalem. "If David would have gone for war, he wouldn't be strolling in his palace aimlessly. God has a plan for us, but if we think of taking a break for a season, we might as well be strolling aimlessly even though we think we got it all figured out.
3. Lets not take advantage of God's goodness-When a child of God sins it brings contempt to his/her Father in heaven-"because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, "( 2 Samuel 12:14) It is a serious thing, to make our enemies show contempt to our Living God. Just because our Lord is Loving and forgiving, doesn't mean we take advantage of His goodness.
4. There is hope for all who repent-The Word of God is frank about David's sin, because there is a lesson for all, it is true David sinned, but it is also true that he repented sincerely. The Bible mentions " 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. "( 2 Samuel12:13) God forgave David, instantly upon his repentence, so does God for us "1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." not from some sins, but from all.

Conclusion: This episode from David's life is a very serious one, however it brings out the essesnce of human failure and God's love. "22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."( Romans 3:22-24) The Good news is, God does not hold this sin against David forever because David repented, though the consequences remain, the relationship of God and David grow stronger. David now has learnt that though he is a king and a great man as people see, he is a small human being with faults before God. So also, for us if it was ONLY to be good on the outside what would the world have been? Can you imagine? Our God molds us into good people, inside and out. People whose lives are transformed by His divine light and direction. Lives that are so transparent before God, that when God shines on them, His light shines right through them and they become God's reflection, God's light and salt for this world. Lets be one too.

To be an Overcomer, you will need something to overcome!!

So you want to be an overcomer, but want nothing to overcome??? That doesn't happen.
I am reading from David's life, Saul is impressed by David's victory over Goliath and "5 Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully [a] that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. "(1 Samuel 18:5). Later on Saul becomes jealous of David and tries to kill him. Saul is still king of the Israelites. I was wondering, is it too difficult for a king to kill someone in his own country? I think if the president of some country wanted someone from their country dead, it wouldn't be that difficult for him to find and kill that person. However in David's life its amazing to note, that right under one roof, there were the king and his men to kill David and right there we see Jonathan and Michal who love David sooo much. Why was David so dangerous to Saul? David has realised what He can do when he works in obedience, to an Almighty Living God. When Saul tries to tell David before his fight with Goliath "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." (1 Samuel 17:33) Remember what he said "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:35). This verse tells me the amount of confidence David had in the Living God and how close he is with God, to so boldly declare of a relation with God in whatever he does, knowing that he is being guided by a Living God. Moreover in the later chapters we read, that Saul got so jealous of David's victories, that he tried to kill him several times, but David escaped all the times.

Lessons I learnt

1. Know Who the Lord is to you- David was so confident about his being in the army of the Living God, thought technically David was not in the army of Israel, he was still a boy, but he knew to Whom he belonged, or rather to which side he belonged...remember the song, I am on the winning side and Jesus is the Winner Man" Can we identify ourselves being in the army of the Living God?
2. Hold onto the confidence you have in the Lord-Hebrews 10:35:"35Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward." Saul told David that he was a mere boy, and had no experience in warfare, yet he held onto the confidence he had in the Lord that the Lord would deliver him. Irrespective of what size and weight he is, he knows a God who can deliver him. Can we identify ourselves as people who have a Mighty God for our deliverer from ALL troubles?
3. No one can defeat God's plan for our lives other than us-When we live in total obedience to God's will and plan for our lives, no one can prevent us from becoming all that God has planned for us to be. God had desired David to be king, Saul tried to kill David so many times, hurling his spear at him, or sending men to his house to kill him, he never succeeded. When God has planned for David to be king and David has decided to follow God's plan, nothing can come in between them. So for us, as long as we are following God exactly on the way that He shows us, nothing can harm us. Thats why the command that God gave Joshua Joshua 1:7-9:7 "Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
   8This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good [a]success." Can we identify ourselves as followers of a Living God, come what may?
4. Trouble, trouble everywhere but not one that can harm David- David was having a peaceful life shepherding the flock, until the time he got anointed to be king. Well God's Holy Spirit came on him to work wonders through him, to make him victorious in all he did and to tranform him to be the kind of king that God wanted him to be. Then there was this king Saul, who wanted to kill him, David spent half of his anointed life, running and trying to hide from the king who was wanting to kill him. He could not harm the king because David respected God's anointing on any man, he respected God soo much. Well, it cannot be hidden, whenever God anoints His people and the people desire solely to follow God's commands, we'll have even more oppression than we've ever had before. I don't think I'd like to call it a price to pay for being anointed, but its an opportunity to see how God will work in a totally yielded life and bring us victoriously into the place where he promised to take us and to being the person God wants to make us. Can we identify ourselves working with a Living God, who will throw obstacles away from our path as we move to a higher place? Its like take off time, the initial run on the ground is jittery and uncomfortable, until we're airborne and no ground can touch us, no more jittery feeling, just calm sailing, well a few air pockets here and there thats all, but the plane has overcome the major force of friction from the ground.Every other friction now is just tiny compared to what has already passed.

Conclusion:Following a Living God is not easy or difficult, but it is exciting. It is a wonderful feeling of confidence to know that we're being backed up by God, because its no longer our own measly plan. And because it is God's plan for our lives and we are obedient to what God has for us, there is nothing that can thwart or change or damage God's plan for our lives. I once again quote Job in saying "2I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted." (Job 42:2). I used to be afraid of God's plans earlier, its like losing control, not knowing what will happen next, even though God says "11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."(Jeremiah 29:11 Amp) Until one day, I knew there was nothing better I could do with my life, I would just be an ordinary person, working in a big company, serving only the clients, being good at my job, getting raises and then one day vanish from this planet having done nothing of 'real' benefit to anyone. You know when God touches a life, and that life stays in touch with God, that person's life-impact goes on beyond his/her grave. Their lives impact lives, beyond their earthly timeline.

The Joy of Knowing-God is in control

Reading through, 1 Samuel 1-16 chapters I find the Israelites, kept making mistakes and God kept finding ways to get them back into His perfect plan. I sometimes wonder, would we (the people now) have got any chance to hear this wonderful gospel if God would have given up on the Israelites when they continued to revolt against Him. When they grumbled in the desert during Moses' time or now when they chose a king for themselves. Well God knew, all this would happen Isaiah 46:10 declares" I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come...I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."

Over the years of my walk with Jesus Christ, I have been obedient and I have been disobedient sometimes too. I have learnt something from all this, that God does not give up on His children, until His children totally give up on God. We are made to give up by the enemy's voice which keeps nagging us, saying "God doesn't love you any more, you sinned, don't you remember?" Well initially I used to get bogged down by that thought. Then I learnt -NEVER TO FIGHT A THOUGHT WITH A THOUGHT, BUT WITH THE WORD OF GOD" So I did just that. Took the Word of God and found out what I should do and it always has answered all my questions and led me out.

A verse that impresses me is Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. "This is Job's testimony after all that happened to him.

Well every time I see disobedience in the Bible, I saw that God makes a way around it or through it and takes His children out. Every body made a mistake from Noah onwards, but God finally had the perfect plan brought into our world through Jesus Christ who was without sin/blemish. The perfect person to take away our sins and disobedience. Now the people also paid for their mistakes, because the consequences will always be there.

In 1 Samuel 1-16 I found that the Israelites, under the leadership of Samuel, sin against God and want a king (like all other nations). God knew this wouldn't work. From the Israelites' point of view, all other nations had king and so it should work for them too. However they failed to realise, they had God Himself as king, else which nation would be able to stand without a king and stay together as a nation? Now God went with their demand, but since He knew it wouldn't work, God had a man prepared after His own heart "David". The plan was good per the people's eyes, but God had a perfect plan.

Lessons I learnt
God has a perfect plan for all His children, all who declare Lord Jesus to be their Saviour. It is really as simple as saying, no to our own selfish ways and saying "Yes Lord, let your will be done. I want you Lord and your plan be done in my life" Something amazing happens. As beings of reasoning, we like to be in control of our lives and know whats happening. I used to be like that, I wanted to know exactly what I would do next. After a certain change took place in my life, I have turned my life over to God like I've never done before. I can see God's plan now making things beautiful for me....no no troubles are not gone away.....they're very much present...but its that amazing knowledge, that God is in control . Its that joy that assures me God's plan for my life cannot be thwarted and you know what His plans are?... Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " Now how can I not want a plan like that??? Would you?

In the meanwhile....God is working

Time and time again, now, the more I read, the more there are instances of God working behind the scenes, even before an event happened. God prepares the future, that will be the best for his people, he knows what they will ask, and has already prepared an answer. He's not surprised, by their disobedience, but prepares a way out for them into obedience and life....not now and then...but ALL THE TIME. Its only up to us to choose the right things, in obedience to our Lord Jesus, that God's perfect will may be done.

I am reading 1 Samuel 8-9 where Saul is going to be anointed. The Israelites asked for a king, so that they'd be like all other nations.Now talking about being like other nations, I am strongly reminded of Jesus comparing us to salt and light. Why would Jesus pick these 2 things from our seen world to compare believers in Jesus with. I think, because when either the salt or light is missing, we know it. We know, because salt gives the food its taste and light shows the way. Its a powerful comparison. So we were never made to get so dissolved that we're not seen, but that in spite of being dissolved into something, we would exist, we could be tasted and seen, by others. They could see our life and experience God's power through our lives.

Here Israelites asked for a king, God was not very happy with their choice, but knew it would come, and gave them their choice. In the meanwhile, somewhere in one corner, Saul was growing in the Benjamite tribe. Now, one day Saul lost the donkeys he had, his father asked him to go look for them with one of the servants. These 2 could not find the donkeys, the servant suggests that they go meet Samuel, who could tell them where the donkeys went. Saul did not want to go at first, on account he did not have any gift to give Samuel. However the servant said, he had some money and they went.In the meanwhile, God has already told Samuel that Saul was going to come to meet him, and also told him what Samuel was to do with Saul.(1 Samuel 9:15). "When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." (1 Samuel 9:17).

Lessons I learnt:

1. God can give you what you ask, but that may not be the best God had in mind for you- The Israelites asked for a king, God did not approve of it, but then God knew it was coming and had gave them their desire. The people would realise only later that this was a wrong choice.
2. So we goofed up, no worries, God's got you covered-Israelites would be troubled by the king only years later, God by then had a king ready for them, king David, the king after God's own heart.God knows what you're going to choose, but at every choice you make, even if it be in disobedience, God keeps a way open for you to return to Him, if only we would return. The return path to God, from disobedience to obedience and life, is always open, never shut. If we made a wrong choice ever in our life, know this, that God's plan still stands good, He can direct our ways towards the right direction as per His perfect plan, IF we are willing to let go and let God.The prodigal son, really went the wrong way, in his own free will, but his father did not despise him or make fun of him when all was lost. When the son returned, the father who waited for him daily, greeted him and took him back in his plan. How much more our Father in heaven.
3. In the meanwhile...God was working out a plan-The plan for the Israelites was laid down so much earlier, before they would go through it. God knew the points in history, where the Israelites would go away from Him. In the meanwhile God would prepare a deliverer for them someplace else, in another background.These are God's people, the Israelites. They also made some good decisions and some, not good. They lived in serious obedience and in severe disobedience too, yet in all these when I read the Word of God I find how beautifully God has orchestrated everything, that a God of Israel is now a God of Americans, Indians, Australians. Hey y'all can we see!!! God opened up His plan for everyone in the whole world, through it all. God doesn't leave us on our own to figure out life and all that it comes up with. He's right there with us, working 'in the meanwhile'. What the enemy thought for harm, God turns into a blessing. When the enemy thought killing Jesus would mean the end, it became the point of salvation for the entire mankind.

Conclusion: God has a plan for everyone, we all, everyone belong to Him (Psalm 24:1), if only we would want God's plan for our lives, that we may be blessed and be a blessing to everyone.

"28We are assured and know that [[j]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. "

(Amp Romans 8:28)

Our Wonderful Redeemer Lord Jesus

I had missed writing the study on Ruth 4 so I am presenting it here.. We see, that after Ruth had surrendered herself at the mercy of her kinsman-redeemer Boaz, knowing only Boaz would redeem, Boaz gets to work immediately. Now Ruth and Naomi had another kinsman-redeemer apart from Boaz. In Ruth 3:12 we read, (Whole Chapter) "Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I."Boaz could not redeem Ruth and Naomi, before giving a chance to the nearer kinsman-redeemer. He was only second in line as a redeemer, to that kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. If the other kinsman-redeemer could not or would not want to redeem Ruth and Naomi, then Boaz could take over.

Now Boaz, gathered up all the elders in his town, as witness for the redemption of Ruth and Naomi. " 2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, "Sit here," and they did so. 3 Then he said to the kinsman-redeemer, "Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you [a] will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line." "I will redeem it," he said. "
5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire [b] the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property."
6 At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it." (Ruth 4:1-8)

Notice here that, the kinsman-redeemer was ready to redeem the property of Naomi, but was not willing to raise up a family of the dead. In those days the tradition of the kinsman-redeemer was to buy back all the property that their relative(now dead) had sold due to poverty. Also if they had any widows left behind, they were to take them as wife and raise up a family on behalf of the relative who had died, so that their generation does not die. The kinsman-redeemer nearer than Boaz, could redeem partially, because he was not interested in continuing the family line for the dead relative. Now that he was unable to redeem or did not want to redeem. Boaz is able to redeem Naomi and Ruth, because he is the next kinsman-redeemer in line and is willing. "9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!" "(Ruth 4:9-10)

The lessons I learnt from Ruth 4

1. The two kinsman-redeemers-Ruth had 2 kinsman-redeemers, but only Boaz was willing to redeem them completely. Boaz was willing to redeem not only the property but also the widow Ruth. We too have 2 redeemers from our sin and destruction. The law and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Law has everything written down, so that if people are able to follow it, we can be saved from sin and death. However the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, fulfilled all the law so that we can now trust in His salvation and be redeemed from the curse of death. Its what the book of Romans talks about.
2. Total Redemption-The nearer kinsman, was willing to redeem the property, but would not want to have a family with Ruth and Naomi. For us too, law could save us only partially -law can only tell us what is right and wrong-it can only save us if we're on the right, else we're condemned, with no relation to our God as a Father, but the very act of our Lord Jesus to come down and rescue us, by paying for our sins, we got connected to the family of God. We became children of God by believing in our Lord Jesus death for us. (John 1). Not only that, Ruth's children will now maintain her husband's family name through Boaz. Jesus did the same too "Acts 16:31 (Whole Chapter) They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Our redemption through Jesus is not only for us, but for our entire family. So if you have family members not yet knowing Jesus, rest assured Jesus died for them too and the redemption stands good for them too and continue praying that they will realise and recognise Jesus as their redeemer.
3. A public declaration-Boaz took Ruth as wife, before a whole community, in public. So also does our Lord Jesus. Our Lord Jesus, even though He was absolutely blameless and pure, took up our sin and did not die for it in a hidden corner, but right on top of a hill, before the whole world. Not secretly, but in public, declaring in public, "I take away the sins of the world." Can you imagine the sins of this entire humankind, from then until all the ones who aren't even in this world yet!!! Now thats total redemption.

Conclusion: The Law, which was given to Moses, that if we may abide by it, we will live and be blessed else we will die in sin. God knew that we would not be able to cope up with such a high standard of living, hence He sent His one and only Son, Our Redeemer Lord Jesus, who paid our death penalty for which we were held guilty by Law-(like Boaz paid for Ruth and Naomi's poverty stricken condition). All we need to do is believe that Jesus died for our sins and we immediately are redeemed, and become God's family. Thats how simple God has made it for us, I don't think there is anything that could be simpler than this. In the book of Ruth, the whole story of man and his redemption from sin and death is so beautifully adressed, along with the saving Grace of our Lord Jesus. Hope we see the lesson God gave through their lives.

Know our Redeemer

I think a believer's life is more of divine interventions, than coincidences. When Ruth went out to find work, she found Boaz's field, without knowing that Boaz was their kinsman redeemer. However when she returns and tells Naomi about it(Ruth 2:20), she finds out that he is one of the kinsman-redeemer for their family. Here onwards, once these 2 women knew Boaz could help them out from their situation of desperation and distress, they worked towards it.Noami has now found courage to fight the circumstances of her life. No longer distressed, the love and faithfulness her daughter-in-law Ruth has showed towards her, has encouraged her to go on.
Before I share what I learnt from Ruth and Naomi's life today I thought the following piece of information would be helpful in understanding.

The definition of "kinsman" is nearest male blood relative. If anyone from
poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to
redeem it." The Hebrew word for "kinsman'" is "goel." "Redeemer" is defined as
"one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his
wrongs." The Hebrew word for Redeemer is also "goel."

Here's some lessons I learnt from their life at this point from (Ruth 3)

1. Know your redeemer's work-Ruth and Naomi, got to know their redeemer Boaz little more. " One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home [a] for you, where you will be well provided for? 2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor"-Ruth 3:1,2. Too many times, we go on about our lives with our own plan, our desires and our work. Little do we want to listen from our Redeemer Lord Jesus, where He is at work. There could be someone right beside you, in need of prayer or a word of encouragement, if we're truly led by our Lord, we'll know what to do and where He is at work and how we're needed there.
2. Go where your redeemer goes-"4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying..."(Ruth 3:4) I like this verse, where Naomi asks Ruth to NOTE the place. How carefully, they watched their redeemer work and noticed his place. Our life should be one which seeks where our Redeemer Lord Jesus goes. I strongly believe that we've got to be at the right place at the right time and all things will fit correctly and work together for our good. Do we wait to ask our Lord where He would take us, whom we will meet to be a blessing?
3. At the redeemer's mercy-"Then go and uncover his feet and lie down." Ruth 3:4 and also in 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet. (Ruth 3:8). Lying down at someone's feet is, I think, the greatest expression of humility. Leaving oneself, at the mercy of that person. Totally depending on what that person would do for you, be it good or bad. Ruth did that. She humbled herself in such a significant manner. Now these women knew too well, that this was the ONLY kinsman-redeemer who could help them out of their situation and they held onto him. Leaving everything at his mercy. How much of our life do we trust God with? Fully or do we keep part of it in our hold, so we'll have something to work on.
4. Wanted the redeemer to be family- These 2 women badly, real desperately wanted out, of their distressed, bitter life. It could have worked for them, if Ruth continued to work at Boaz's field, gleaning the field. They were only 2 in the family, I guess it would have been enough. They were getting food for their daily living. They would have done OK. However they wanted to live better than before, they wanted the redeemer to be family. It was not enough for them, that Boaz was providing their daily needs, they wanted him to be their family. God loves us and provides for us, daily. Should we stop at that, or would you want to go on ahead and be family, real family with God our Redeemer? Family means, living with God daily, working with God daily, serving God daily, throughout the day in every breath. Not just part of day like we go to work for our boss, but the whole 24 hrs. Being family also means to have your family traits, do what the family does. Jesus did what the Father in heaven did.(John 5:19 ) and here's what Jesus said-John 14:12 (Whole Chapter) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. "How much family traits do we want to acquire from our God, who gave us authority to be children(John 1), those who believe in Him?
5. Listen to what the redeemer has to say-"He will tell you what to do (Ruth 3:4). A good piece of advice, Naomi gives Ruth. Ruth would have to listen to what Boaz would ask her to do. Isn't that kind of our relation with God, to listen and know what our Redeemer Lord Jesus would like us to do about anything pertaining our life, when we go to Him for help. Well, sometimes we go to Him alright, but we don't listen to what He would have to say to us.
6. After all is done, wait-Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."(Ruth 3:18). Once Ruth came back to Naomi after she had everything she had been asked to do, Naomi asked her to wait. Naomi knew all too well, that this kinsman-redeemer will not let someone who's come to him for help, without a solution. He would find the best resolution for them.They just had to wait. They trusted everything in Boaz's hand and they waited. This I guess is the most difficult part of a believer's life. After praying hard about a situation and giving it to God, we still would love to sit and worry, not sit and wait to see what God would do about it. How much faith does it show on our part when after praying we doubt again and wonder if God would do something? Boaz is shown as a model of our Lord Jesus our Redeemer. Our Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, will not rest until the matter is settled. God will not settle down until the matter for your need, your concern, your life is settled. We have to wait and find out what God has done for us.He's there working on our behalf, because we've done all and now rest upon His work.Ephesians 6:13:13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]."

Well I've listed the lessons I learnt, above. I know this has been my longest post, but I can't help it. My God is a very talkative God, He loves to talk to His people who are willing to listen to His voice. I hope you are blessed by this post, as much as I have been blessed writing it.Thank you for patiently reading.

Our Redeemer Lives.

The Door is Always Open

While learning from Ruth's life and her decisions, I find that someone has been playing a very important role, Naomi. I was reminded of her, by one of my readers. Naomi's life shows another aspect of a Believer's walk with God. A life that knows God, yet goes out of God's will and even comes back again to the Lord to find fulfilness.

Background:Naomi left Bethlehem, in Judah with her husband, Elimelech, who had decided to go to Moab while there was famine.They had two sons with them. Naomi's husband Elimelech had originally planned to just sojourn(stay for a while) in Moab but later on we read that they lived there(Ruth 1:2 ) and their sons got married to Moabite women. In about 10 years of living in Moab, all the men in the family died, leaving Naomi, with the 2 daughters in law. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after she heard how God came down to help the people.She urges her daughters-in-law to return to Moab and find rest in the home of another husband (Ruth 1:9). Ruth comes with her anyway. Naomi enters Bethlehem, she is disheartened at the way life turned out for her and wants to be called Mara(Ruth 1:20). However God turns everything differently for her as is written in (Ruth 4:14-15)

What I see from Naomi's life

1. Disobedience or walking away from God's plan when life seems trying- Elimelech and Naomi move away from Bethlehem(house of bread) in a time of famine to a land called Moab. A land God did not approve of (Note:you may read my earlier post to find out why). I find this happen so many times in my life, when God wants to know how far am I yielded to His will and purpose for my life. God waits to see, when in trouble do I first run to Him or away from Him. Sometimes I run to Him, sometimes I run away. When I do run away from Him, I find I have missed something important in my life. Naomi's life shows us how going away from God's will, cost dearly. On another thought, would it be difficult for a God who provided Manna in a desert, to provide food in Bethlehem? I think not, yet that was their decision to move away from God's place.
2. Loss- Naomi lost her entire family, and was left with her daughters-in-law, she had nothing to give them. Their source of livelihood was no longer there, no protection was there since there were no males left in the family.Moab did not give them satisfaction in the time of famine, rather stole from them what they already had. That was quite a price to pay(Ruth 1:3-5). She was so distressed, she no longer wants to be called Naomi(meaning pleasantness) she wanted to be called Mara(meaning-Bitter)
3. Returning home-Naomi knew that the only way she could live was to go back to Bethlehem, where God came down and fed His people(Ruth 1:6). She made the right choice of returning to the land of God.
4. She wants to be a blessing- Once in the land of the Lord, we see that initially a woman who was distressed, had given up all hope, who wanted her daughters-in-law to return because she had nothing to give them, is now aspiring to be a blessing to her daughter-in-law. "One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for?(Ruth 3:1)
5. She is blessed-Finally we see that in all this, Naomi herself is blessed. The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! (Ruth 4:14)

Lessons I learnt:

1. No matter how tough situation in life gets, there is no other refuge as wonderful as our Lord -Psalm 46:1 (Whole Chapter) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. "
2. When we turn around from our disobedience, our running away from the Lord and return to our Lord, He is ready and waiting for us to accept us-"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."John 6:37. Also like we read in the story of the prodigal son.
3. All so far, children walking in the will of God, always are a blessing to others and in return are themselves blessed. The blessings God bestows upon children who are willing and obedient to His call, fills them and overflows as blessings into the lives of people.
4. God always waits for His children to return to Him, and has prepared a way out of our distress.As in Naomi's case, God had kept a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz for her when she returned. God has kept, our Redeemer, Lord Jesus, ready and waiting for us to return to our Lord that He may redeem us from our poverty, distress, loss, debt and everything else.

Though Naomi thought all was lost and gone, there was something Ruth found in her, she found a tiny seed of faith in God somewhere in the midst of Naomi's distress. In a brief moment, Naomi thought the Lord had done all that harm to her, but I think they were all because of disobedience and continually staying out of God's will. In Deuteronomy 30:19 God says "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: " The choice to stay with the Lord or go away from Him at any situation in life, always remains with us.

I learnt from Naomi's life, how these choices can affect our life. We cannot blame God for our wrong choices. He is willing to let us know which way we should go, if only , we would wait and listen. God has a plan of blessing for us, a plan of redemption from any situation, our redemption is in Lord Jesus our Redeemer. The Door is always open, are we willing to return and go back to our Lord, to meet our Redeemer Lord Jesus?

Where You lead me-I will go

Ruth has been such a wonderful example of faith. As I had mentioned earlier a summary of all that happened to Ruth just for following the Living God.

The book of Ruth brings out a beautiful picture of a Christian walk....its for those who say to the Lord "Where You lead me-I will go" and are willing to stick by that word. Ruth is a tremendous example of such a person. There was something about Ruth that caused a stir in the village. I am sure it was the fact that she's from the Moabite community and she doesn't know God neither did she know the people of this land, but yet she has come with her mother-in-law committed to her, in life or in death.Above all, she wanted Naomi's God to be her God.

As I see from Ruth's life, things started happening in her life when she took the decision of following Naomi's God(Ruth 1:16). Ruth after reaching Bethlehem, does not sit and relax, but goes out to glean (pick up the lefovers from the harvesters). I wonder, if I was in a strange neighbourhood, a different country, a different people, would I dare to go out like Ruth did, at the mercy of the people there. I don't think so. This shows how completely yielded she was to her decision of sticking with Naomi. At this point she doesn't even know whether the people will like her or not, will someone allow her in their fields or not, will she get food for them(Naomi and her) this day or not, will she earn anything or not.There were too many things that were not in her hands at this point in her life, yet she goes on, out, to accept the decision she took, out to boldly go where no Moabite had gone before.

1. Actions were noted and praised-People around us will see, be it believers or unbelievers. A totally surrendered life to God is always noticeable, always causes a stir and becomes a talk of the town but all were in her favour. A field man says about Ruth "6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter". As Boaz tells Ruth what he had heard from others ""11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:11-12)
2. Unmerited favour comes along-God starts putting people in favor of you, people you might have never met before.As Ruth says to Boaz "10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?" "(Ruth 2:10). Ruth had done nothing to find favor in Boaz's eyes, she was not a regular worker there but she found favor.
3. Protection and Provision-" Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled"(Ruth 2:9). Boaz offered her the protection and provisions for food during her work time.

Lesson:When we take a stand to follow our Living Lord, in life or in death, and our life takes a 180 degree turn from what is familiar, what is known, what is natural, what was usual towards something that is unfamiliar, unknown,unnatural, unusual. A life that solely depends on the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, the voice of God, it turns into a life of blessing, a life which gives joy to others around you and brings blessings upon you.

Not only was Ruth blessed in her work, we later on see as I had written earlier that she becomes a blessing to all of us, in this, that she's the great great great great grand mom of our Lord Jesus. Can you see the impact a life of total surrender can make.

Surrendered Life-Renders Blessings

Today I start another life journey....this time with Ruth.This book of the Bible has been by far the most impacting book in my life. Last night I lay down thinking about her life...etc..and now I write them down.
Ruth's Background:Ruth is a Moabite. Moabites are people from Moab. Moab was a generation that came out of Lot through disobedience and evil. Lot's daughters got him drunk and they each lay down with him to have children. "36So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 37When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab.[b] He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites. 38When the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi.[c] He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites." Genesis 19:36-38. Here's what happened some time after all this "Deuteronomy 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even down to the tenth generation. " So we see Ruth from a background, which came out of evil, she probably had not known the God of the Israelites who was jealous for His people. Now Elimelech with his wife Naomi sojourns (goes to another country for a short while) to Moab. They had sons Mahlon and Chilion who were married to Ruth and Orpah respectively.

Naomi's husband is dead, Ruth's husband is dead so also is Orpah's husband. There are no more members in their family. Naomi had nothing to give to her daughters and she asks them to leave her and go back to their own country as she plans to return to Bethlehem. Orpah returns but Ruth clings on to Naomi-"16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17).

I wondered, why would Ruth not want to go back and remain in Moab. She sounds so desperate to go with Naomi, that the only way she wishes to part her mother-in-law is through death. Now this woman was desperate to get out of all the situation she was in. She wanted out of everything, Moab was about. She wanted out...desperately.

What was it that interested her to come out? "6 When she(Naomi) heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there." (Ruth 1:6). Naomi wanted to return because she heard of the way God had come down to help His people. Ruth might have wondered wow I never knew of a God who helped His people like that, since her forefathers (the Moabites) wouldn't have seen God work in the way He worked for the Israelites. Ruth wanted what they(Israelites) had.

Did she make the right choice? Would God accept her? Would the people accept her? What would happen? She's a Moabite after all and there is a whole horrid past that she's running from. Moab didn't have anything to offer to her, only all the evil there is, only fleshly lusts, only being harassed by evil men and women. She knew that Moab was only a cycle of evil, with no way out. In Naomi she found something that gave her some hope, something that could change her life. Something that could make meaning out of her senseless and meaning less life in Moab......

Yes she did-I am soooooooooo glad to say that she did find meaning when she went into Bethlehem(house of bread) in Judah(house of praise) of Ephratha(fruitful), to hand her life to God, to submit to a God she had not known, only heard. Do you know what happens with such kind of surrendered life? A life, which cares not of what will happen to it, if it surrenders itself to a Living God.A life which does not know what will happen tomorrow. A life willing to face criticism from people who have tried to believe (in their own strength) and failed. A life ready to face any challenge that comes on, just for following a Living God. A life even given over to the point of death being the sole thing to part it from God. Ruth wanted such a life.

What did she get out of all this she was willing to die for?
Her name in the geneology of Jesus Christ Himself" 5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of King David. ........16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."(Matthew 1). She got be Jesus our Lord's, great great great great...grand mom. What a wonderful blessing!!!
Also, as I know now, she had such a beautiful life after that decision, that it was worth being recorded in the list of books, the Bible, a life lesson book named Ruth.

Lesson: No matter what background, or past we're carrying. No matter how daunting or taunting or haunting our past life has been, when that life, is surrendered to the point of totality in the hands of a Living God, God can impact a whole world with that kind of life. Not only in that person's lifetime but in lifetimes to come. Generations that would never see that person will be impacted. Such lives, impact way beyond their lifetime. Now the question is for us who live now. There are many people trying to prove God as all that He is not. In this time, can we dare to stand up like Ruth did and trust God no matter what and let our lives in God's hand be a tool?

Receiving God's Redemption Plan

As already seen how God saw the groanings of the Israelites in Egypt and how God was concerned for His people. We also saw how God had prepared the Leader for the Israelites and now that everything and everyone is ready God reveals His Redemption Plan for the Israelites to Moses. I feel that the giving of the Redemption Plan to Moses, just did not happen one fine day in Moses's life but that God had prepared Moses' heart and mind to a place he would listen to God and obey God so that God's plan would be appreciated by His people.



The Burning Bush Experience (Exodus 3:1)

Background:It has been a long time since Moses fled(Exodus 2:23) from Egypt after killing the Egyptian for flogging an Israelite(Exodus 2:11-15). He is now married to Zipporah and even has a baby from her named Gershom(Exodus 2:21-22). I'm thinking of writing about names a little later. Moses was out tending his father-in-law's sheep.

• Moses takes his sheep to the far side of the desert.(Exodus 3:1)

(My thoughts-When God has something important to say to you, He would have you come to a far side, mostly somewhere you've never been before.Don't be afraid of going onto the far side, it could be something you haven't done before. Trust God)

• A burning bush-a strange sight (Exodus 3:2,3)

(My thoughts-Look out for what God is trying to get your attention to. Sometimes when we are in a strange situation, we prefer not to look around,to hide ourselves from the strange when probably there is something God would like us to see. Pay attention to what God would have you see, no matter what situation you are in, that paying attention to what God has to show and say will be instructions regarding how God can use you in that situation. Its all in how attentive we are to God's voice and calling. If Moses wouldn't have gotten interested in the things of God (though they be strange)- the redemption for the Israelites would take another long time-also Moses' passion suppressed would have gone away with him and we wouldn't read about him and be blessed. So be careful to listen and pay attention to what God wants you to attend to.)

• Getting in position to receive God's Plan (Exodus 3:4-6)

1. Go closer to God- in Moses case he went to see the bush closely and God spoke to him. (My thoughts-If we want to hear anything from God, we've got to go nearer to Him and wait)
2. Respond correctly when God speaks -God called out to Moses by name and Moses responded. (My thoughts-God knows you by name, He is concerned about you. So when God wants to talk to you, respond. Most of the times , we are so bogged down by our own wonderings and musings, we might be too engrossed to respond. I wonder what if Moses was staring at the burning bush and so engrossed in it at the way it burns, that he wouldn't have heard God. Or could have said "Wait a minute Lord, I haven't seen anything like this. Lemme enjoy this view." The situation then would have turned out to be something else altogether. Many times I feel, we get so engrossed in the episode rather than in the God behind it, that we may not even hear God talk through it and we go one about it.I did that some time ago.I was so worried about a certain thing that was bothering me that I would sit to pray and go on and on and on and on about my situation and pray on and on. I thought I was doing the right thing and when I was done unloading my cares I would get up and go. Then I learnt to stay there and to BE STILL and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.I am glad Moses responded the way he did and God introduced Himself to Moses for the first time and you know what's written later on in Exodus about Moses-The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. If only we had the patience to turn our attention to the right direction, and respond rightly instead of just saying what we feel we must say and wait to hear from God in His Presence, we would know what God would have for us. Even our redemption.)
3. Reverence-God taught Moses to rightly position himself before God. God asked Moses to take off his sandals because the place is holy and introduced Himself. (My thoughts-We know a lot about courtesy, to honour people, to respect our elders, our bosses and the likes but too often we leave our manners way behind when we come in the Presence of the Lord of lords and King of kings. How many of us would like to talk back to our bosses knowing that's the only job we can get or the only one which suits us? Not many I guess, I wouldn't. How much more should we be in respect when in the Presence of the Almighty God.Just because God would like to call us friends and treat us like one, it does not remove or cancel the fact that your FRIEND is the Living God, the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, the Holy One of Israel and much more than who you are.Let's not just go into a time of prayer and go on and on about us, but listen to God and respect what He wants because after He is omniscient. All knowing and knows how we should respond. Let's learn from THE TEACHER.)
4. God Reveals his heart-Remember in the previous post about how God was concerned about His people and now we see, something which God was concerned about, He reveals to Moses. This is really glorious to grasp, knowing that an Almighty God would use a mere person to carry out His concern, also from the background of Moses we read earlier in the leader being prepared for Israel we know that Moses had realised his passion(freedom for the Israelites), the passion that God has put in his heart and now was ready to get on the plan.(My thoughts-God already has a plan for our lives, and when we get onto the same page as God, understanding what God would have us do, we position ourselves to use our potentials to the full. The key I found to receiving God's plan for our lives is to stay so close to God, long enough that our thoughts, our purposes become the same as God's.You also see here that the redemption was not for Moses, it wasn't for his benefit. He might have been OK with his new family and new place. Most of the times, the plan God has for your life is rightly for blessing someone else, but rest assured, as you seek to do God's plan for your life, you'll find a.) You get closer and closer to God through His plan b.) You become a blessing, not to one but many c.)Your situation automatically aligns itself to God's plan of blessing for you because God blesses you and this blessing overflows from your life into other people's lives)

Conclusion:I have been more blessed in times where in a prayer I have welcomed God and then sat down reading the Word of God in His Presence. It has helped me to understand God and what He can do about my situation. Makes me feel confident that God can and has done something about my situation already. Even before I even came across this point of my life. He knew it and has dealt with it. We need to just be rest assured and continue doing our work for the Kingdom of God. Don't let the pressures of life hamper your work for the Kingdom of God, for that's what those pressures can do, divert your attention to yourself, your own needs and while you're fighting for things which God has already taken care of, souls are being stolen away from the Kingdom of God because the one person who could be helped only by you was never attended to by you. For God indeed has taken care of everything and anyway, what can you do anything about your situation which could be for your good. Would you know to do the right thing for it on your own? So "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Mathew 6:33)