REMAIN IN BETHLEHEM,THE HOUSE OF BREAD

Its been long Dear ones.Im sure we are well.

welcome to this platform we learn and hear what the lord has kept in store for us.Its almost mid year 2019 and im sure all of us can attest to the faithfulness of God.There was a time all of us were really pleading with God for the gift of rains,and look how God has been gracious!He never counted the many times some of us ranted in social media blaming others for the lack of rain whilst others carelessly said that Kenya is cursed..But who is God?He is full of compassion.He is always kind and faithful to us.

Over the past two months,ive been reflecting on how much it takes for one to be content.Paul says that contentment with Godliness is great gain.But how many of us are really content?What exactly does it mean to wait on God?Not that all your prayers are answered,neither are you settling for mediocrity.But that aspect of being content even with many unanswered prayers an still trusting in God for open doors in whatever it is you want from God .Waiting patiently for God to come through and not buying into the thoughts of plan A or B or giving into the old lazy saying that Mungu husaidia wanaojisaidia(To me,this is deception from the enemy).

Owing to the fact that technology has made things so easy,That you can get an instant loan at the click of a button,you dont have to go to the market with all the struggles that come with it but just dial  a number and all your grocery issues are sorted,that you can just call your doctor and your health issue is somehow sorted..how much does it take for one to wait patiently on God?As a believer,is there an easier way of getting  God to work quickly or as urgent as we may tend to view our problems?

Im reminded of a family in the bible who decided to not wait on God or rather hold on to the promise of God and later on they suffered the consequence.A story is given in the book of Ruth chapter one of how Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem for moab because there was famine.The entire chapter talks of how Naomi lost her husband and her two sons.Naomi heard of How God had remembered his people in Bethlehem and she decided to go back to Bethlehem.The lady went back to the house of bread a broken woman.She left married but comes back a widow and somehow childless.The bible says that when she came back,the whole town of Bethlehem was stirred about them.She even tells them not to call her Naomi but to call her Mara(bitter)She wails of how the lord has dealt with her bitterly.That she left full but has come back empty.

Ive been thinking about this family and i cant help relate this issue with what happens to our lives.Chapter two of the same book talks of how Naomi heard that God had remembered his people and that  therewas  no more famine.In my own thinking,this family had fled because of famine....but did they get a permanent solution?Did they hear God before embarking on their journey to Moab?Suppose Elimelech had not taken his family through this rough road that almost ended this family?

As a believer,how many times have we embarked on the journey to Moab just because theas famine and we are not able to endure?You clearly know that Gods timing is right but because he seems to take longer than you anticipated,you decide to take a different route and go on your own.That you have prayed and fasted and nothing is forthcoming so you decide to throw in the towel and abandon the walk of faith and even the fellowship of believers.Did you know that there are times when the heavens are shut?What happens when you knock and no one even opens that door?When you seek and you literally cant find what you are looking for?When you have trusted God for something and he seems to take ages before releasing the blessing!

The temptation of going to Moab is so real.None of us wants to endure famine irrespective of what kind of famine it is...But theas something that comes with remaining in Bethlehem,the house of bread.Im reminded of a couple that waited on God for a child but nothing was forthcoming.Infact,the husband was a priset and would offer sacrifices to God.Not even  a day did he fail to go to the temple to offer sacrifices.The bible tells me that as he was offering the sacrifice at the altar,the angel of God appeared to him with the news of him getting a child.(Luke 1;11-14)Now,notice that the angel didnt find Zechariah at home,he found him in the altar.The issue of him being a priest and childless didnt deterr him from serving God.The bible says that the angel told him that his prayers had been answered.Think of how many people this priest had prayed for and they had received their answers yet his were still not yet answered!But even with that fact,he remained in the altar.God found him there!

The bible again talks of how year after year Hannah would go to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God(1st sam 1;17).Its true she was barren,but she never failed to go to seek God.Being old  and childless never stopped her from seeking God.She never thought of any shorcut or plan B.The bible says in verse nine after they worshipped God,she later conceived.It means God had ordained that year to bless Hannah.Suppose she never went to shilloh?These instances have taught me of tarrying in the place of prayer.Not leaving or digressing from the ways of God no matter the challenges in Bethlehem .

Look at what Luke 18;1 says,,Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,.God knows that its easy to pray and give up.That the nature of man is not always willing to be patient.But look at what happens to the persistent widow,She is granted her request by the unjust judge...but theas a question posed at the end of the parable...will the son of man find faith on earth?

Many of us are loosing faith in God thus getting help elsewhere and later on we end up being bitter,naked,hurt,broken and ashamed.By choosing a temporary solution which is moab than waiting even when nothing seems to be forthcoming.Holding on to faith that if God is in the issue,then we must succeed.How many people have resigned from their jobs because maybe of afew challenges and unbeknowest to them,Gods timing for them to leave that company was not due therefore leading them to frustrations and regrets and a wilderness of a kind?How many of us have chosen divorce instead of allowing the intervention of God in our marriages and later on  end up in pain?Do we know of people who chose to get married the wrong way just because God took too long to connect them to Godly spouses and their biological clock was raising an alarm and are now regretting?How about that business opportunity that was so enticing and much as we understood that it was not in line with Gods standards we gave in and ended up pained and broken?

It is my prayer that we shall remain in Bethlehem...There could be pain,but God will remember His people.He is not like man that He can lie.He who promised is faithful.He knows our lives more than we know ourselves.You could think you have taken too long in that company without any promotion and think of using nasty ways to climb up the ladder but my dear,hold on.Do not give up in prayer.Keep knocking...in the midst of that pain,keep pursuing God.He is found by them that diligently seek him.Much as it seems to take time,The lord will come through for you.Moab may be enticing for now,but choose to remain in Bethlehem because eventually,the lord will visit you.