DATE: Thursday 23 April 2026
TOPIC: “UNDERSTANDING PURPOSE (II)”
TEXT: Ruth 2:2-3; Isaiah 55:8-11
MEMORY VERSE: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, “says the LORD…” – Isa. 55:8.
Intricately woven into God’s plans and purpose for humanity are His words and ways. We see from time to time that humanity is besieged with tragic situations, which even the wise would not understand. That a family would lose all for escaping famine, only to return to a bountiful harvest is confounding to say the least.
“To Ceaser you shall go” we read of Governor Festus (Acts 25:12), fulfilling God’s plan for Paul to evangelize Rome (Acts 23:11). Was the journey to Rome a smooth sail? The answer, an emphatic No! Storms, ‘Hurricane North Easter’ prevented them, yet God worked a miraculous arrival, despite a shipwreck! (Acts 27:13-44) and Rome and his co-travelers were evangelized!
The “man of Macedonia” vision (Acts 16:6-10), was an invitation by the Holy Spirit for Paul to reach the unsaved. He saw clearly, heard clearly; yet the mission put them in prison amidst several beatings (Acts 16:20-34). In the end, not only was the message brought to Greece, the Jailer and his family, fellow prisoners; Lydia – an influential woman and Philosophers (Epicureans and Stoics), similar to modern academy of Arts or Science were saved (Acts 17:32-34).
God’s ways, thoughts and words are immutable and during moments of trials, storms, tribulations as seen in the life of Ruth, we should trust Him completely.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to know Your ways before Your acts; even when I do not understand my current circumstances, Amen.