Emotional Decisions

 Day 5

“These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years.”

Ruth 1:4

Mahlon and Chilion were young when they went to Moab, and pretty much grew up there. It’s easy to see how natural it would be for them to adapt to this new nation's culture. After all, I am sure there were not many Israelite women available for marriage there. So, they married outside their nationality and their faith. But in doing so, they also married into paganism and godlessness, directly disobeying one of God’s strongest commands for his people. In other words, they brought into their house other gods, other customs, other values altogether. Even if the women were indeed good, virtuous women in their eyes, their baggage followed them; their DNA followed them. Their father could have very well traveled to Bethlehem to get wives for them, just like Abraham had done years ago. But he didn’t. Why? We’ll never know.

Have you ever done missionary dating? Falling for a guy who is not a Christian? Bluntly disobeying God’s desire for your life? The Bible says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

But you say, “No, it isn’t like that at all. He loves me. We can make this work.” Well, it doesn’t work. It is written. Let’s face it, for the most part, it is a bad idea. You are bringing into your house a whole new set of values that you did not have before. Some of those values are completely perpendicular to your godly upbringing. There will be conflict, battles, tears, and out flat sin. Worst of all, you may cross a threshold that you cannot cross back. However, that is not to say that God doesn’t have his purposes and plans. Granted, it has worked for some. A few. Yet, I am sure they will tell you that it has not been without great compromise.

So, ten years passed. It was obvious by this time that there was no going back home. Mahlon and Chilion were not to return to Judah. There is that threshold. No going back. Disobedience has consequences, sometimes dire.

But there is hope. There is redemption. Have you been hurt by missionary dating? Or any kind of unequal yoke? Have you done something that you know in your heart is not what he wanted from you? Whatever it was, God can redeem. God will redeem. He is ready to pick you up if you come to him. #getittogethergirl The throne of grace is open for you. Come.

Father, I confess my disobedience. I know that I have not done what you have asked of me. I let myself be guided by my own feelings, by my own opinions, and now I have paid the price. I come to you in humility, asking for your forgiveness. Let your redeeming grace lift me up and make me whole again. I know you can, and I know you will. I ask that you restore me and fill me, and bless me, and make my latter condition so much better than the first. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My reflections:

“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

John 6:37

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