In the previous blog we saw the examples from the Bible who chose to do the right thing and did not do what GOD wanted them to do and ended up losing their lives.
Lets see some more characters in the Bible who chose to do what GOD wanted them to do instead of doing the right thing.
1.Joseph
3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.
9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! Gen:45:3-9
Joseph had every opportunity to get even with his brothers. Infact it would have been the right thing as they were even willing to kill him in the first place and later mercilessly sold him as a slave. Because of them he had to leave his loving dad and all the luxury and became a slave and started working in an young age.Because of them he spent years in prison and experienced injustice most of his life. His anger was justifiable and infact his brothers dint deserve his kindness according to the standards of this world. But what did Joseph do? He forgave his brothers and gave them food and invited them along with their families to come and live in Egypt.
So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Gen:41:38
In the above verse we see that a pagan ruler recognised the Spirit of GOD in Joseph in other words he had an excellent spirit.
Today when people hurt us and do us wrong, how many of us forgive them and bless them. Forgiveness is the toughest and sometimes the most difficult thing for a christian. GOD wants us to forgive each other immediately not a day later and not a year later. JESUS forgave instantly as we read in the below verse,
33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Lk:23:33,34
I have seen relationships fall apart, families and friendships broken because of unforgiveness. People carry so much of grudge within themselves that the very thought of seeing the other person or talking to them becomes difficult. In my own life I have come across many many people who stop talking to their own parents, husbands, children or friends. Small misunderstandings have ruined so many lives. People are least bothered about what GOD thinks or what GOD wants. They cave into their own emotions and end up satisfying themselves rather than pleasing GOD.
Today even as you read this article, I would like to encourage you to choose love and forgive others. Life is too short to carry your hurts, unforgiveness and grudges.
Forgiving others does you more good than the other person.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Math:6:14,15
Choose love over hatred and forgiveness over grudge.
2. Ruth
14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. 15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” Ruth:1:14-17
Orpah and Ruth are perfect examples of choosing the ‘Right thing’ or ‘GOD Thing’.
Orpah did the right thing while Ruth without a clue of the future chose to do what GOD wanted her to do. Though she was not a jew she still chose to follow the true GOD. She was not raised a believer but still she saw Godly values in Naomi that attracted her.
We see submissiveness in Ruth and willingness to forsake her own family, people, country and her comfort zone to go to a foreign country. Unknowingly Ruth tapped into GOD’s divine great plan and received tremendous blessings. Infact GOD choose Ruth to be part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She is 1 of the 5 women mentioned. Such a great honour and a great legacy left by Ruth through her simple obedience.
Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse. Math:1:5
In our lives today when we obey the still small voice of the Holy Spirit over our own convictions, clattering emotions and over the noisiness of the world and choose to do what HE wants us to do, then without doubt we will be honoured and blessed greatly.
Sometimes every ounce within us, will scream and direct us to follow the crowd by doing what is right but pause and think if that is what GOD wants you to do and do the GOD thing!!!
Think about the immense blessings that you will have and not only you but others and even generations will be blessed with the Godly decisions that you take.
Today I encourage you to do the GOD thing!!!
GOD bless you and have a great day!
Spiritual Nuggets 4 U 