Principles and Values
«Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons (Ruth l: l,2).
Elisa and Romualdo were newlyweds and theology students who considered moving abroad to finish their studies. They prayed to God to show them what to do. Many experienced people advised against this move for the time being, and encouraged them to finish their studies first. But the young couple did not see this suggestion as an answer to their prayers, and went to their new destination. There, they dealt with various difficulties with work, health, adapting… and they were also unable to achieve the purpose of their journey. They were forced to return to their place of origin to rebuild their lives. Despite this misstep, God wonderfully blessed them. They finished their studies and channeled their new life to fruitful service.The Book of Ruth begins with a family’s decision to undertake a misguided journey, but the Lord takes control of their lives and turns misfortunes to blessings. Elimelech could have clung to the promises made to his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and trusted God to meet their needs in spite of the famine that was raging in the land. However, he took his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and moved to the region of Moab, a decidedly pagan land.
The consequences were tragic. Their stay in that immoral region lasted too long (a decade). The boys who were raised in that environment married young women of Moab, something objectionable since God had prohibited the Moabites from entering the assembly Deut. 23:3), and the Israelites from making a peace deal with them (v. 6). This was followed by the premature death of Elimelech and of both newlywed young men, Mahlon and Chilion. These sad circumstances placed Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, in a truly helpless situation. In that society, a woman could only find acceptance and protection in her father’s or her husband’s home, and these three women had neither one nor the other; moreover, they did not have any offspring .But the Lord about a series of circumstances that led to an overflow of blessings: Ruth’s conversion and the establishing of a new family that filled their lives with happiness. God is also interested today in taking control of our lives regardless of the bad decisions we may have made.Let us surrender our life to Him today so He can take control of it.
#AdultsDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Alejandra Zavala
