RUTH & I SAMUEL

Today is Thursday.  This Saturday I am leaving on a cruise to Alaska and so I will not be able to blog from the ship.  Earlier this week I was in Olympia, WA at a preacher's meeting, so I wasn't able to blog as well.  If I'm not blogging on the day, please feel free to read older blogs that I keep posted.  Today I am in Ruth and I Samuel, and here are a few gems to share: 1) SOJOURNING IN A STRANGE LAND- Ruth 1:1- Elimelech went to "sojourn" in the land of Moab because of the famine.  The word means to "visit", but he stayed there many years.  There He died leaving his wife, Naomi.  There their two sons married heathen women, and then died themselves.  There Naomi, turns into "Mara" meaning "bitter".  She went out full, and comes back empty with only her daughter-in-law, Ruth.  BUT... thank God, He has happy endings with tragic stories.  Ruth marries Boaz and has a son, who has a son, who is David, King of Israel.  Ruth comes into the lineage of Jesus Christ mentioned in Matthew chapter one.  WOW!! 2) SHE PRAYED FOR A CHILD- Elkanah loved Hannah.  In I Samuel 1:5, it says that he loved his wife Hannah, and in verse 8 he says "am not I better to thee than ten sons."  Hannah could not have children, but Elkanah's other wife could and did.  Hannah was broken about it, went to Shiloh and prayed about it until the priest, Eli noticed it.  He thought she was drunk, but she had a sorrowful spirit, and Eli said she would have her request of a son.  In verse 27,28 of chapter one, she "lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD."  In chapter 2:20,21, the LORD said because of the loan that she gave (Samuel), that she would be blessed with other children (three sons and two daughters).  Her loan to God was repaid in full!! 3) SPEAK LORD- I Samuel 3:9 "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth".  This is what Eli told Samuel to say when he heard God calling again.  Five times in this chapter, Samuel says:  "Here am I".  (vs. 4, 5, 6, 8, & 16)  Perhaps God could speak to Samuel because he was submissive to Eli. If we are right with men, it is easier to be right with God!  I hope we can live our lives today saying: "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth"!! 4) SAUL MEANS "LITTLE"- I Samuel 9:21- Saul was little in his own sight.  As long as we stay that way, God can use us, but as soon as we think we are somebody special, we negate God's ability to use us.  God must have a humble servant to use so that He gets all of the glory.  He alone deserves any glory!!  Have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler