Text: Ruth 1:1-21
Memory text:
“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.”
Luke 15:17 NKJV
There are some financial investments that the investor can’t draw from until the terminal date, or else you forfeit the interest on the investment. Even though one can’t be prevented from having access to one’s money, it is not without a penalty.
Our relationship with God as children is on a covenant basis. It is built on terms and conditions. Our covenant benefits are only accessible as long as we remain with Him and we lose out if we walk away from Him. “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.” (Ezek 18:26). This righteous man loses all his investment benefits by breaking his agreement. Does this mean that God uses righteous people, dump and send them away empty? No, the righteous man loses out for turning away from his earlier agreement.
According to our text, Elimelech and Naomi took their two sons with them and walked out of Bethlehem to the land of Moab because of a temporary famine. They walked out of Bethlehem, the land of bread to go to Moab, the land of idolatry and from light into darkness. She went out full, but she returned empty. From Naomi, which means, pleasant to Mara, that is, bitter. She lost her husband and her two sons in Moab! “I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”” (Ruth 1:21).
Always remember that the troubles you are passing through won’t last forever. They are momentary trials of your faith, they will soon come to pass. Your present condition is not the conclusion of your life. Rather than fleeing from every challenge, like the eagle, learn to ride on them to the uncommon altitude. Don’t let any challenge make you act impulsively and walk out of God’s presence this year. Be patient and wait on God’s direction per time. As one loses when he terminates his financial investment before the terminal date, likewise, when a child of God walks out of God’s presence, he walks out into guaranteed emptiness.
What about the prodigal son who walked out of his father’s side? See what he said about his father’s house. ““.. ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17). From abundance, he gravitated into emptiness (Luke 15:14).
Friends, every temptation to get out of the presence of the Father into the world is an attraction into emptiness. May you not go on an adventure of emptiness this year, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, let me never walk out of Your presence or walk into emptiness this year, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please supply sufficient grace to uphold everyone whose faith is being tried now, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I will never walk out of God’s presence, lest I be dumped, and I go out empty.
2. My present condition is not the conclusion of my life but a momentary trial of my faith.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng