BRING BACK GODLY PRINCIPLES

Ruth 2:10-12,23

Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.

May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law.

The opening chapter in the book of Psalms reads:

Psalms 1:1-3,6a

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. 

Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, 

The record of Ruth and Naomi gives us a glimpse into the testimony of those who choose the path of godliness.

Ruth was coming from a pagan background, however, after getting the opportunity to taste a relationship with God she knew she was not going back!

As we said yesterday, Ruth and her sister Orpah were free from the marriage contract with Naomi's family but they still held on to her. Moreso did Ruth. Have in mind that Naomi had nothing, she was completely bankrupt both in money and in family.

Ruth 1:11-14

But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?

No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what?

Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.”

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.

It is clear that they did not follow her because she had wealth infact, Naomi was in a very low state at that time.

Ruth 1:19-21

So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.

I went away full, but the lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”

Naomi means pleasant, but her situation at that times seemed the opposite, so she said she should be called Mara, meaning bitter.

So what was it that Ruth was after, what kept her committed and attracted to Naomi and her God?

I believe it is love and godly lifestyle.

Ruth made the right choice. She somehow knew that there was something more than riches and the careless living that she was brought up with in Moab. She understood that there was a living God and Naomi was able to manifest that to her as a good mother-in-law.

As I always ask, can we have this same testimony in our days? Where are our godly mothers and fathers? Where is the role of the elders in our churches or gatherings. Is love and godliness the order of the day or are we pursuing something else.

In our families, even as believers, what is happening there? Are we really walking in the path of righteousness or is it all about selfish gains.

Ruth as a responsible young lady, who became a widow, did not go idling about, gossiping, flirting, quarrelling, making enemies, adultery or looking into other people's business. What did she do?

Ruth 2:2

One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.”

She went to work, she knew they needed to be provided for and she didn't wait for handouts, she went out to earn.

What are our young ladies doing today? We praise those who are wise enough like the blessed Bible women, the Proverbs 31 women. The Lord will keep blessing them and help them continually to have a peaceful and prosperous home.

Today for some it is all about money, the single ones destroy their bodies to accumulate wealth, wives lose respect for their husbands when it seems to them that they have begun to make wealth. Foolish men go about whoring with other women especially when they seem to have made a little money. Young people lose their ethics and godly lifestyle when they experience a little freedom. It is all foolishness!

Let us bring back Godly principles. Yes, we are in the last days, when evil will abound, we are not to be infected by it but we should counter it. We are Not headed for destruction but everlasting bliss.

Everyone must be involved, starting from your immediate home to all your places of influence. Godly living must reign. The Heavenly Father must be honoured.

1 Timothy 6:6-7

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it

What is your priority, have you learnt to put God first? Are you a good testimony, a good example for others to follow?

Help us Good Lord.

PRAYER

Dear Father we pray that Your godliness will reign again even in the life of those that call Your name on earth. We know that it is the scary days but yet, the earth shall be filled with Your glory. Lord let me not be found wanting, instead let me please You in all things being a good example. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher