| Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27
“Then women said to Naomi, ‘Praise the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name be famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’ Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. The neighbor women said, ‘A son has been born to Naomi,’ and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:14-17)
I appreciate Naomi’s realness. In Chapter 1, she was hurting and wasn’t afraid of a “bad confession.” Hey, stating reality is not a bad confession, things are what they are. The woman had lost her husband and her two sons while living in a foreign land. She attributed her loss to God and she was bitter about it.
My take is that things happen in life. We live in a sin-sick world where disease, crime and perversity run rampant. It is a sign of the human condition, as such, the world suffers. Most of us grieve for a better day. This is the thing, despite how bad things may get we must look for the Ruth in our lives. We must appreciate being able to “come home.” I’ve seen plenty of hard times and I am convinced that, once we get our bearings, there is always something to be grateful for.
If you are grieving or are just getting hit with a shock wave, I’m not here to take your anger or emotion away. Initial feelings must be felt and processed through before we can move forward. So what am I saying? I’m saying to feel what you feel but get ready to move ahead in life. If we don’t have that mentality we’ll get stuck, sometimes for a very long time. Don’t push away those God has placed in your life to help you get through. And don’t blame God forever; He’s your source of hope. Yes, He is sovereign but free will and the progression of sin are dominant in this world. But, hallelujah, I know a place where every tear will be wiped away and every pain will disappear. Know that we’re going to have anguish and disappointment here but hold on to that picture of heaven and not this world.
Just like He did for Naomi, God will bring things full circle for us if we embrace His grace. In Chapter 1, Naomi returned home calling herself Mara, or bitter, but in the end, everyone called her blessed. Acknowledge and hold on to your blessings!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to keep heaven as the backdrop of my life. I always want to remember this world is not my home. I am an alien in a foreign land and I won’t always be here. Help me to make the most of my time but always with the thought that this is just for a short time and then I’ll be coming home to You. Teach me to embrace the blessings and comfort You offer. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. |
