Bible Text: “In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. During their stay in Moab, 3 Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or sons. Ruth 1:1-11
Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, life treats everybody exactly the same way. It does not smile at one and frown at the other. From Naomi’s biography one can see that her lot was truly bitter. She lost Elimelech her husband. She lost her two sons – and none of them had issues that she can console herself with! Now, she decided to let go her daughters-in-law by herself so she could go back home empty! She considered her life ended. She said, verse 20-21 of that chapter, “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Instead, call me Mara,* for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty.” And she’s a bona fide, full-blooded Israelite!
When Job got to the peak of his suffering, the only thing left for him was to trust in the Lord. He said “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”.
But finally both Naomi and Job overcame their challenges. I decree upon you that those challenges inside of which you are swimming right now will soon become history in Jesus’ name. When the Israelites eventually exited the Red Sea inside which the King Pharaoh, his chariots and charioteers and all his warriors perished, there was a song of victory. I decree that sooner that you ever thought it would be, you will not only compose but sing a song of victory in Jesus’ name.
The difference between the believer and the unbeliever is that the believer rejoices in adversity as he believes it is only a passing phase but the unbeliever ends it all by himself – may commit suicide, may steal if he’s hungry, may kill others at the slightest provocation – he acts on impulse and in a detrimental way. I have passed through many challenges in life. Even though the pangs of pains are pepperish to feel, even though some times, I asked God questions as Naomi did, I have always tried to remember God inside of them. When I come . ways rejoiced inside my pains because I knew that I shall (and I have always overcome) them all and come out better. So when adversities surround you, trust in the Lord to deliver you from the valleys.
Prayer Point: O Lord, whenever I am overwhelmed by troubles, grant me the grace to always remember that you will deliver me out of them all in Jesus’s name.
Thank you for reading Daily Energiser. Please recommend it to all your contacts.
