Jan 18

The Lord at our Right Hand

Living in Christ Comments Off

Psalm 16:7-9

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

David says “I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel.” Counsel is given as a result of consultation for advice. We can clearly understand that David sought God’s advice and therefore was given the counsel. David, a King of Israel was God’s anointed one who was a man after God’s own heart. He praised God in a magnificent way and his psalms speak of the relationship he enjoyed with Lord God. When such a high and mighty king sought God’s advice, we at our every step should wait and seek His counsel. He sure will direct our every step (Proverbs 3:5-6).

David says that his reins instruct him in the night. In other words, even while David is resting, he is led by the Lord God. The Lord does the same to us if we, like David set the Lord always before us. Even when we sleep at nights His still small voice speaks unto us, His loving arms will lead us, His tender heart will care for us, His blood covers us and His light shines on us. The Lord is at our right hand and therefore we need not be moved. “He is at our right hand” means He is available to us at all times. It is us humans who fail to look up to Him or seek His counsel. Psalm 121:5 says, “The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.” The Lord is our keeper and He is our shade upon our right hand. Just like shadow goes with us wherever we go, the Lord God goes with us.

Let us rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Rejoice evermore for He is our strong refuge and mighty tower. Just like David’s my flesh shall rest in hope!

Next: Huldah, the Wife of Shallum

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Dec 18

Samson and Delilah – Part II

Biblical Women Comments Off

Judges 16:10-12

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

Delilah realized that Samson did not tell the truth and was now nagging him to tell her the source of his strength. She was tempting him a second time. Samson did not run away from her; he held onto her even when he was attacked by Philistines because of her. His lust for Delilah was greater than His love for the Lord. He could not mortify his flesh. Let us ask God to help us mortify our flesh. He knew how she exposed him to the Philistine lords after binding him with seven withs. Yet Samson stayed on. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Samson positioned himself in the way of a temptress and yielded to the desires of his flesh. Satan also does not tempt you once but he will try many times. Beware!

Christ was tempted in the wilderness after He fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11). Christ was not tempted once but thrice; He resisted the devil and he ran away from Jesus. Samson did not resist the devil but yielded miserably to its tricks. Christ was a completely sinless man who was and is God of all flesh. He enjoyed the heavenly abode with His Father but obeyed the will of His Father to save us (humans) from perishing. He came down to earth in the most humble form possible and went all the way to the Cross and then to grave and got resurrected per His Father’s plan. By His death on the Cross, He paid the price in full once for all for the entire mankind and we now have the key to heaven through Him.

When Delilah asked Samson again to reveal the source of his strength, he said “If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man”. We see a woman so persistent and so eager to find Samson’s strength for the money that was promised to her. So, Delilah  took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread. Delilah promptly bound Samson with new ropes and in anticipation of a fulfilled task said, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson”. This is how satan binds us with his ropes and waits to see if we can get free from his bindings. Before the satan binds us, we should run away from him and claim victory in the name of Jesus. If some one feels trapped by the enemy, I declare victory for you in the SOVEREIGN name of JESUS CHRIST! You are released from the enemy. Amen! Rise up, praise Him, sing a new song of victory, do not linger in the ashes or loiter where the satan put you. Step out of the darkness into the light where the Light of the World (Jesus) exists. The enemy’s bindings can easily be broken by the miraculous power of the Lord. He rejoices in liberating the captives and in releasing them that are in prison. God’s plan and purpose for our life is not evil; it is the wonderful promise from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Yes, He desires to give us rest, peace and hope. Do you believe on Him, who can raise you up from the ashes to give you a life that is full of hope and faith? If not, NOW is the time to believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son!

Next: Samson and Delilah – Part III

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Dec 13

Manoah’s wife

Biblical Women Comments Off

Judges 13:2-5

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

The children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and were delivered into the hands of Philistines forty years. At this time there was a man of the family of Danites of Zorah, whose name was Manoah. Manoah means a place of rest. Although his wife was barren and had no children yet, Manoah and his wife seem to have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Lord. Certainly Manoah’s wife did find a place of rest in dwelling with Manoah, a man of God. But being barren she must have waited long and yearned for a child.

The angel of the Lord appeared unto Manoah’s wife like the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth to speak good news of great joy unto Manoah’s wife for she found favor in the Lord’s eyes. After a long wait, the time has just arrived when the Lord would grant her what she desired the most. The long wait brings in the best blessings some times. If you are waiting on the Lord for something you need, God is doing His work although He is silent. When the time is ripe, you will receive it. But, do not lose heart, hold on to God and His promises steadfastly. Do not waver in your faith, for God is an unchangeable God. He, who visited Manoah’s wife through an angel, will visit you too. The angel said that Manoah’s wife would conceive and bear a son. Manoah’s wife believed the words of the angel.

The angel of the Lord gave instructions on how Manoah’s wife was to be during the time of her pregnancy for the child in her womb shall be a Nazarite and he will deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Numbers 6:1-21 explains well on what a Nazarite vow of separation unto the Lord is. A Nazarite is a person who makes a special vow to live separately for the Lord. We as believers in Jesus Christ make a vow to live unto the Lord for His glory when we receive Christ into our heart as our Savior. II Corinthians 6:16 says, “ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” We are the temple of the living God and hence we are separated from the world and He is our God and we are His people. We will bring the people out of darkness into light like Samson (Manoah’s son) was going to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. Are you living a life dedicated unto the Lord? If not now is the time to make that special vow by submitting your life for His glory! If there is a sin in your life or something unclean just cast it away with God’s help and strength. He will provide His grace and mercy for you as you re-dedicate your life to Him. He is longing for you to come to Him. Do not wait for now is the time!

Next: Angel Revisited Manoah and his Wife

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Nov 08

Two way rest for Naomi and Ruth

Women in the Lineage of Christ Comments Off

Ruth 4:14-15 

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

In yesterday’s devotional we have seen that Orpah kissed her mother in law, Naomi and returned to her home of Moab while Ruth followed her. Naomi entreated Ruth to go back to her home after Orpah. Ruth 1:16-17 says “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” After noting that Ruth was steadfast in following her, Naomi stopped pleading Ruth. They both reached the town of Bethlehem during the barley harvest. The natives of Bethlehem immediately recognized Naomi and asked if she was Naomi. Naomi said (Ruth 1:20) “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” Naomi actually means pleasant. She was now bitter due to the loss of her husband and her two sons.

Naomi had a relative of her husband, whose name was Boaz. Ruth asked her mother in law if she could glean ears of corn in a field that belonged to a man whose favor she can find. Naomi blessed Ruth and sent her to glean the ears of corn. Ruth was gleaning in Boaz’ field and Boaz observed Ruth and asked the reapers who she was. Having known who Ruth was, Boaz spoke very kindly to Ruth because she found grace in his eyes. Boaz had heard all that Ruth had done to her mother in law, leaving all her family and friends behind her in Moab and following Naomi all the way to Bethlehem to the people that she is not familiar with, putting her wholehearted trust in the Lord God of the land.

Naomi was keen on finding rest to Ruth. Rest here means to find a husband with whom she could make her home and live peacefully. Ruth followed every instruction of her mother in law and reached Boaz like she was instructed. Boaz says in Ruth 3:11, “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” The entire town of Bethlehem has heard of Ruth’s virtuousness and this impressed Boaz.

Boaz was ready to redeem Ruth right away but knew that there was another man in town who was closely related to Elimelech than himself. He wanted to find out if the other kinsman was willing to redeem. The other kinsman passed on this burden to Boaz and Boaz bought the parcel of land that Naomi was selling and also redeemed Ruth and took her to his wife. Ruth 4:9-10 says, “And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.”

God blessed Boaz and Ruth with a son. Not only did Ruth find rest but also Naomi was blessed with a restorer and a nourisher in her old age. The people of Bethlehem said that Naomi’s daughter in law that loves her was better than seven sons. The neighbors said (Ruth 4:17), “There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” God saw the trust that Ruth had in the Lord God of Israel and also Naomi’s desire to live in the House of God filled with the bread of life. Thus Naomi and Ruth found the two way rest in Bethlehem.

From the land of Moab where there was spiritual famine, Naomi and Ruth reached Bethlehem filled with the bread of life and spiritual blessings. Today spiritual famine exists in the people and places where Christ is not the center but spiritual blessings overflow where Christ dwells. Colossians 3:1-4 says “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” May we all seek and set our affections on the heavenly things so that we also would appear with Christ in glory and find the heavenly rest like the way Naomi and Ruth found!

Tomorrow: Bathsheba, the Wife of Uriah

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Nov 07

The Narrow Way vs. the Broad Way (Ruth vs. Orpah)

Women in the Lineage of Christ Comments Off

Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Elimelech and Naomi were living in Bethlehem, Judah and they were Ephrathites. They traveled from Judah to Moab with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion. The reason they moved from Bethlehem to Moab is because a famine struck the land, while the judges ruled the land. After Elimelech and Naomi reached Moab, Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women Ruth and Orpah respectively. After ten years of livelihood in Moab, Mahlon and Chilion died as well. Naomi was a bereft mother, left with her two daughters in law. Naomi made a wonderful decision of returning to her own land because she had heard how Lord visited His people and the land was blessed with bread again.

Naomi requested Ruth and Orpah to return to their own land Moab saying (Ruth 1:8-9), “Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.” We understand that Ruth and Orpah were kind to Naomi and her family. Naomi was meaning well for her daughters in law and was trusting that the Lord will grant them rest by blessing them with husbands in their land. She kissed them and they three wept loudly. Ruth and Orpah insisted that they go with Naomi to her people.

Naomi again requested Ruth and Orpah to return to their land. This time Naomi explains them why they should return and strongly urged them not to follow her. In Ruth 1:11-13 “And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” Naomi also said that her heart is filled with grief for her daughters in law that the hand of the Lord is gone out against her.

It is very clear that Naomi and her daughters in law enjoyed a sound relationship. They cared for each other. Naomi wanted her daughters in law to find rest in their husbands’ homes. She knew in her heart that she would not have any more sons and even if she marries again and has sons that the wait for her daughters in law would be too long. At this stage we see that they all wept yet again. Ruth 1:14 says “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.” Orpah got convinced and kissed her mother in law and returned to her own land Moab while Ruth adhered to her mother in law.

Orpah and Ruth were on the crossroads at this point. They could choose one way or the other; that is they could return to Moab or stick to their mother in law and go to Bethlehem of Judah. Moab represents the broad way while Bethlehem represents the narrow way. Firstly, Moab was born to Lot and his daughter after the destruction of Sodom. Though Moabites and Israelites were related and have the same roots from Terah, they had conflicts because of Moab’s birth which was incestuous. Secondly, Sihon, King of Amorites did not let the Israelites pass by when they were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, as it is said in Numbers 21:21-23. Also, we see that Moabite King Balak appointed a prophet Balaam to speak against Israelites as said in Numbers 22:5-6. On the other hand, Bethlehem is comprised of two words Bethel (House of God) and Lehem (Bread). In other words, Bethlehem is where God and His people resided and it was filled with bread. This bread is the “Bread of Life”.

Way of Moab or the broad way is the way traveled by many that leads to eternal damnation. Way of Bethlehem or the narrow way is the way least traveled and leads to eternal life. Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The narrow way is the way of the truth and the life. In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Orpah chose to go back to Moab while Ruth went on with Naomi. Ruth was blessed and married Boaz and gave birth to Obed. Ruth 4:21-22 says, “And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” Ruth was redeemed by Boaz just the same way you and I are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. This blood was shed by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. You and I have a choice as well. We could choose the broad way that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to eternal life. This choice dictates your eternal journey. Are you on the crossroads today? Will you choose the narrow way like Ruth did?

Tomorrow: Two way rest for Naomi and Ruth

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