Ruth 1:16 - You Are His People
Step 1: Pray. Select.
I recently attended a worship night at a friend's home in the middle of the desert. This morning, I could not get out of my head the circumstances or life experiences that brought me to that place at that moment in time.
I was in awe of God orchestrating a meeting in what some would call the middle of nowhere. He brought all these special people together from different walks of life under one roof to praise him and expect nothing in return.
As I pondered my sheer gratitude for being in his presence that night, I came to my scripture for today, Ruth 1:16. This is where I began my journey with the Holy Spirit today.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Ruth 1:16 - But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, where you go, I will go; my people, your God.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes and think about Ruth's commitment to leave everything she knew behind and follow Naomi, the Holy Spirit takes me back to one of the darkest and scariest times in my life during my divorce. There was one specific moment when I had to choose God, trust him, and turn away from everything and almost everyone in my life. I had to risk flying without a net, yet again, as he did every time in my past; the Lord provided for my every need. It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how good God really is. There is truly no one and nothing on this earth that can provide for our every need in the right moments at the right time, like the Lord.
As I move forward with life, seeking nothing but him above all, I still let my flesh get weak by questioning his ways and wondering whether I am making the right decisions from time to time. All I know is that if the Lord is the one asking me to do things and guiding me, then who or what in this world can be against me?
I don't know what the future will bring, but the sentence that the Holy Spirit has put in front of me today shows that he is 100% in it, and he is my God. So I will take comfort in that alone and be proud to be one of his people.
I have a question for the Holy Spirit, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, I am so grateful that you have brought people, situations, and different opportunities into my life. But truthfully, I get nervous about the expectations or the outcomes of what I'm currently laboring in. I want to honor you, but sometimes I'm just scared. In these uncertain times, when I have not seen the fruit of my labor yet, how do I know to keep going and that I am indeed on your path?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“Did I give it to you? Did I say go, and you went? Did I tell you to move, and you moved? Then you are my people. So where you stay, I will stay. As long as you remain focused on my words, instructions, and callings, I will always provide for you every need. You must wait upon me. I am a God of my word. If I spoke it, it is already done. Strengthen your faith. Believe my word over the unseen. I am supernatural and omnipresent, and my children will be fed. Remember to eat your daily bread. Leave the rest up to me. I would not have spoken it to you if I didn't mean for you to have it.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I ask that you give me the strength, faith, and endurance to continue on the path you set before me. I ask that you continually guide my footsteps and call me to the next place, giving me the strength to take the next steps to come closer to your will.
I pray you attune my ears to hear only your voice above all others. Please watch over me, my mind, my body, and my spirit as I labor to produce the fruit you've given me.
Please let me not grow weary in the waiting and strengthen my faith in the meantime. Please let me celebrate every step of the way, knowing that in the end, you will have good fruit that you will bear.
I ask this in Jesus' mighty name, amen.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, I know abandoning the world to pick up your cross and follow Jesus can be scary.
But trust me when I say he will provide for your every need. I, too, get weak from time to time, but remember, God is still on the throne. He will bring forth a harvest when we labor on account of the LORD. So stand firm, friends, and know that He is our God and we are his people, so his word will stand.
Remember to eat your daily bread and rest in the LORD, knowing he will deliver on his promises. His word will not return void. He will bring forth good fruit in due season.
God bless you. See you soon!
