Friday, 19th August 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: LET GOD LEAD YOU
THEME SCRIPTURE: “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons” – Ruth 1:1
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Is it not okay to relocate during times of famine and difficulty?
Escaping domestic hardship for better prospects abroad is a delicate issue. Unfortunately, some economies are struggling. Basic human needs are now luxuries, and healthcare and education are dismal. Massive corruption and poor leadership are worsening the situation.
Accessing affordable food has become a major challenge, prompting many to consider or migrate to better economies to support their families.
The focal text describes a time of severe famine in Israel's history under the judges. The famine forced a family to move: "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.” Interestingly, the man whose name meant ‘my God is King’ left Bethlehem (the house of bread) in Judah for Moab. The famine may have forced Elimelech to consider several ways of providing comfort to his family. He sought temporary relief from the famine in Moab, a potentially prosperous place. He was right to provide for his family (1 Timothy 5:8), but leaving the land God gave Israel shows a lack of faith in God. According to Matthew Henry: “…it is an evidence of a discontented, distrustful, unstable spirit, to be weary of the place in which God hath set us, and to be for leaving it immediately whenever we meet with any uneasiness or inconvenience in it.”
Beloved in Christ Jesus, improving self- and family-care is commendable. Abraham and Jacob's decisions to move to Egypt due to famine (Gen 12:10 and Gen 42-45) reinforce this.
Instead of moving to Egypt for the same reasons, God told Isaac to stay where He had told him to be (Gen 26:1–2). Prevailing global trends indicate more distress. By all means, make sure to take care of yourself and your family, but pray to God before making big decisions that may affect your purpose and God's will. Relocating to other economies may work for some people, but for others, it may have unfavourable consequences. The common denominator in all these is God and His ordained will for your life. Be circumspect, and ensure that you acknowledge God in all of your life’s decisions. God bless you.
FURTHER READING – Ruth 1
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How do you ensure that God is at the center of your life’s choices?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me by Your Holy Spirit to make decisions that are consistent with Your ordained will for my life in Christ Jesus, Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Kings 13; Jeremiah 39; Mark 13
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