Surprises in waiting!
Verse for Today: Friday, November 01, 2013
Ruth 1:21 – “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; The Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
When we go through the valleys of tears, bereavement, famine and separation, it is likely that the grief overcomes us to make statements of hopelessness. Naomi followed the path of Abraham when famine struck Bethlehem and ran away for security. But God taught her lessons of eternal value. When she came back to the bread basket of God, she was still in deep distress and anguish. Little did she realize that the Lord God Almighty has prepared a resting place not only for her, but also for her widowed daughter-in-law! Even when Naomi came back, she was dwelling in her past misery. She was not full when she left in apprehension and anxiety. Now she is back in Bethlehem without realizing what God had in store for her. He had already prepared for her emptiness to be replaced with His fullness. Her affliction was soon to be jubilation for her new fortune. God had a plan for her life which was far beyond her farthest dreams or imagination. God reinstated all that she lost through Boaz and the new baby Obed who was to become the great grandfather of Jesus Christ in His humanity. Naomi became part of the household of Boaz and enjoyed all His richness and goodness. All her family inheritance was redeemed by Boaz. She had the privilege to become a grandmother and a nanny. Naomi was depressed before coming to Bethlehem without knowing what God was doing for her behind the scene. Even while she was at the bottom of her life of faith, her God did not forsake or forget her. The God of Naomi is our God today as He works behind our scenarios for our good in a manner far beyond our wildest imagination. He will not forsake us nor will He leave us orphans. He will reveal His marvelous plans for us at the right time to the praise of His name through us.
Dear friend, are you sinking in the mire of your failures in the valleys of life? Have you given up hope and declared to the world that nothing good will ever come your way? But you will be amazed to know that the God of Naomi and Ruth is working behind the scene to shower His richest blessings upon you. He is preparing the background for you to fill your life with His best which is yet to uncover. Your tears will give way to celebration of His goodness. Your depression will give way to elation of praise and thanksgiving. Your situation will become unbelievably jubilant and your life will be a celebration of praise because of God’s compassion and kindness. His plan for you is progressing according to His divine schedule. If you find delays, rest assured that it’s not delays of inactivity, but only delays of preparation and appointment. One of these days the curtain will be removed and the goodness of the Lord will come out to the open for you to see and enjoy. So, dear friend, don’t wallow in your predicament like Naomi, but just praise the Lord for what He is busy doing for you in your scenario. The God who has not forgotten Naomi and Ruth is your God today. But you must come back from your backsliding and return to the House of Bread of our Lord to see His goodness. He is challenging you today to confess your digressions and get back to the centre of His will to see and enjoy His riches by faith.
Psalms 48:14 – For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.
Thought for Today
Every new day is full of the result of what God prepared for us on our yesterdays.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord Jesus: Fill me with the vision of what You are preparing for me each day of my life and help me to use it all for Your glory. Amen!
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