Lent Day 4 - Do we tell each other about what God is doing?

When we were having dinner today, Naomi made an announcement. She’d had news from a friend of hers, back in Bethlehem, and apparently the famine there has ended! Naomi said, ‘God has come to the rescue.’ Naomi also said she wants to go back to Bethlehem. Orpah and I looked at each other. We knew what we needed to do. The three of us finished dinner, and then began to pack. Naomi, who had left Bethlehem when things were difficult there, wanted to return when things were good again. Naomi received news about what God was doing, and it was because of that, that Naomi wanted it for herself

What about us?

Do we tell each other about what God is doing?

Let’s look at John 1:

Andrew is a committed follower of John the Baptist. One day, as they are walking along, John suddenly stops and looks back over his shoulder. Andrew turns and looks, too. He’s not really sure what John is looking at, other than possibly a man who has just walked past them. But why? Lots of people have walked past and John hasn’t even stopped, let alone looked after them. Andrew realises it’s definitely that man when John points after him, and says, ‘Look...’ Andrew obediently looks, then looks questioningly at John, who continues, ‘the Lamb of God!’ Andrew immediately catches up with Jesus and asks him where he is staying. ‘Come with me,’ says Jesus, ‘and you’ll see.’

Come with me. Words that echo on through Jesus’ earthly ministry and beyond. Reaching to me. Reaching to you. Words that say, ‘I’m with you.’ Words that say, ‘I want to be with you.’ Welcoming words. Reassuring words. Comforting words

Matthew 11:29:
‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’

A yoke closely joins two oxen. The two are together. ‘Come with me.’ The two walk together, and work together.

‘Come with me.’ The two pause together. ‘Come with me.’ ‘Come with me,’ says Jesus, ‘and you’ll see.’
There are things to see as we journey with Jesus.
Good things.

Jeremiah 29:11:
‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’

What will you see as you travel with him?

Andrew goes along with Jesus and sees where he is staying. Andrew stays with Jesus for the day, and then he remembers his brother. His brother has not yet met Jesus, and Andrew knows Jesus is too good to keep to himself! Andrew goes off, finds his brother, and tells him all about Jesus. And then, we read in verse 42, Andrew ‘brought him to Jesus’. Come with me. Already, Andrew is following Jesus’ example. Come with me, let’s go together. Who could you say ‘Come with me’ to? Come on, let’s do this together. So, together, the brothers go to Jesus. One to meet Jesus for the first time, and one to meet Jesus again. Keep coming to Jesus. Never stop. Andrew’s brother was called Simon. When he met Jesus, Jesus changed his name: Simon became Peter. Peter means ‘rock’.

Matthew 16:18:
‘And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’

Jesus looked at Simon and saw potential. Potential nothing could overcome, because God had put it in Peter from the very beginning.

Jeremiah 1:5:
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew [or chose] you’.

Before God made you, he chose you. Because God chose you, he made you. And God doesn’t make mistakes. God had a job for Peter, and his plan was put in motion because Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. What might God do through you?

1 Corinthians 2:9 (nlt):
‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’

What might God do through you? He says, ‘Come with me, and you’ll see.’ Both Naomi and Andrew wanted to be where God was. Do you?

Psalm 25:4 (nlt):
‘Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.’

Taken from 30 Days with Ruth by Emily Owen

A thirty day devotional look at ‘Ruth’s diary’ with thought provoking points, prayers and questions to help explore this much-loved story in a new way.

What must it have been like to be Ruth, transformed from a widow in a foreign land to become the great-grandmother of King David?

Emily Owen explores these questions through Ruth's 'diary', sharing in her trials, her excitements, her challenges, fears and joys. Each chapter begins with a 'diary extract' from Ruth's life, which is then beautifully unpacked with a meditation to encourage you to reflect on how that applies today. Each meditation is encouraging yet challenging, and helpful for personal growth.

Join Ruth on a devotional journey to see the biblical story from a fresh perspective.

Father God,
When you say ‘come with me’,
Help me to come.
Sometimes, I want to hold back. I get comfortable with the life I know.
Help me remember that life is always better with you.
Thank you that you made me because you wanted me to be here.
Help me reach out and take hold of the potential you see in me.
Amen