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Respite For the Weary
Previous scriptural based alphabetical phrases in my most recent posts are: Invade me and Involve me; Kind words, Kind ways; and Lord of my life. Today's post is: Make me, Mold me, Move me.
Make me, Mold me, Move me? Synopsis of Numbers 13; 14:1-11; 32-35
When God brought the Israelite nation out of Egypt, He planned to lead them into Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. Two young faith-filled men, Joshua and Caleb, scoped out the land and came back with a wonderful report. However, the Israelites were full of fear and dismay due to other men's negative reports about the presence "giants in the land." Because the people did not trust in the goodness of the Lord, He could not make, mold, or move them into the land of blessing. Their lack of faith caused God's people to wander in the desert for forty years; but even in their faithless grumbling, the Lord provided for them there, both day and night.
Make me, Mold me, Move me! Synopsis of Ruth 1:8-18; 2:1-3; 3:9-11; 4:13-15
However, in another time and place there was a Moabite woman named Ruth. She was a young widow who had lost her husband to sickness. She was left with her mother-in-law Naomi, whom she deeply loved. Eventually, Naomi, also a widow, decided that it was time to go back to Judah, her homeland. Naomi insisted that Ruth (and her sister) go back to their own family and their own gods, but Ruth was determined to follow Naomi. She spoke these devoted words to her mother-in-law, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God." Because Ruth's heart was willing, God could make, mold, and move her into a land and life of blessing. The Lord rewarded Ruth's walk of faith by providing her with a kinsman redeemer and husband named Boaz, and a son named Obed; and in time and history, she became the great grandmother of King David of Israel.
When looking at these two contrasting stories, here are a few questions:
Do I let fear rule my actions or inactions?
Do I fully trust God in times of unknown?
What can I do practically to live by "faith in God" over "fear of what might happen"?
I see the fear of the Israelites and then the faith of Ruth. Fear of potential dangers kept the Israelite people from moving forward into what was already beautifully laid out before them; whereas Ruth's faith propelled her to walk forward into an unknown territory with confidence. I want to be like Ruth, having blind faith in an all-seeing God, trusting in Him more than bowing to my fears, making bold declarations and stepping into them; then, as a result, receiving His beautiful blessing within His provident plan. Yes, I want to be like Ruth.
So Lord, make me, mold me, and move me into Your will for my life.
For where You go, I will go...
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. Philippians 1:27-28
Dear Lord,
We thank you that whatever happens on this earth, good or evil, all believers in Christ have eternal salvation with you. Help us to stand firm "as one man" believing in this promise. You are the Victor over life, over death, over all. Amen.