DATE: Wednesday 22 April 2026
TOPIC: “UNDERSTANDING PURPOSE (I)”
TEXT: Ruth 2:2-21; Isaiah 46:8-11
MEMORY VERSE: “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east – a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have purposed it; I will also do it” – Isa. 46:11 – NLT & NKJV.
God is the only divine arranger! He took Joseph from his brothers’ hatred inside the pit, to slavery, to Prison and lifted his head to become the ‘Prime Minister’ of Egypt; which led him to make a statement that shook his brethren to their bones but revealed the divine purpose of God in Gen 45:5-8.
What about Ruth? The genealogy of Jesus, the Redeemer and Saviour, included Rahab, “the harlot” (Joshua 2:1ff), who will later be saved with her family during Jericho’s destruction (Joshua 6:25) and later married a man named Salmon; giving birth to Boaz (Matthew 1:5).
Time would not permit us to look at Cyrus the father of fundamental human rights (Isaiah 45:1-7); raised to fulfil the eternal purpose of God after the 70 years of captivity in Babylon, even where he did not know the Lord (vs 3b and 4b) – yet, he fulfilled purpose as our memory verse today showed.
Dear Christian; remember this – our travails like Ruth’s may hurt deeply, yet they are, ‘light afflictions’, lasting for a moment, but working out God’s purpose (2 Cor. 4:17-18) and so, let us not lose heart and be in continuous despondency knowing that He who purposed good for us will also do it (1 Thess. 5:24).
PRAYER: Even when I walk through the valley of dark shadows of death, by faith, I remember Your purpose to bring me out alive knowing You are always with me. Thank You Jesus, Amen.