Ruth 1:1-22
Now the Israelites went through many other trying events during the times when the judges ruled. They engaged in theft, idolatry, rape, murder and infighting that led to Civil War. Because there was no king, the people simply did what they felt was right in their own eyes. An entire tribe was nearly wiped out because of the sin of all the people. But, again, because of God's grace, the tribe was restored. (See Judges 17-21)
However, there were still some good people in Israel. One of those people was Elimelech. During a time of famine, he moved his family to the country of Moab. He settled there with his wife Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. After a while Elimelech died and left his wife, Naomi, alone with their two sons. His two sons married women of Moab, Orpah and Ruth, but then, they also died.
Now, Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law. Because they were still young, she told them to go back to their families and she would return to her home in Bethlehem. The daughters protested, but Naomi insisted. So, Orpah went back to her family, but Ruth would not go. She pleaded with Naomi to let her stay and even vowed to remain with her; to be parted only by death.
Naomi had left such a great impression on Ruth that she was willing to go where Naomi went, live where she lived, serve the God she served and die where she died. How awesome is that? Do you live your life in a manner that draws people to Christ or pushes them away? I aim to fall in the first category.
When they returned to Bethlehem, everyone in town was excited to see Naomi. She was so upset by her situation that she asked to be called Mara, because it made her bitter. It didn't matter to her that she had been missed, or that she had survived the bitter drought that she and her family left, or that she was able to return safely. Sometimes life can get that way for us. We can't so caught up thinking about everything that's going wrong in our lives that we fail to notice the way God is blessing us.
Lord, please help us to recognize how you are with us even when circumstances are less than perfect. Help us to see that there is always a blessing in our trials. Even though we come against adversity: sometimes we lose people that we love, sometimes we don't see how much we are loved, you always know what's best for us. Thank you, God, for always being with us and helping us to continue, as life goes on. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Now the Israelites went through many other trying events during the times when the judges ruled. They engaged in theft, idolatry, rape, murder and infighting that led to Civil War. Because there was no king, the people simply did what they felt was right in their own eyes. An entire tribe was nearly wiped out because of the sin of all the people. But, again, because of God's grace, the tribe was restored. (See Judges 17-21)
However, there were still some good people in Israel. One of those people was Elimelech. During a time of famine, he moved his family to the country of Moab. He settled there with his wife Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. After a while Elimelech died and left his wife, Naomi, alone with their two sons. His two sons married women of Moab, Orpah and Ruth, but then, they also died.
Now, Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law. Because they were still young, she told them to go back to their families and she would return to her home in Bethlehem. The daughters protested, but Naomi insisted. So, Orpah went back to her family, but Ruth would not go. She pleaded with Naomi to let her stay and even vowed to remain with her; to be parted only by death.
Naomi had left such a great impression on Ruth that she was willing to go where Naomi went, live where she lived, serve the God she served and die where she died. How awesome is that? Do you live your life in a manner that draws people to Christ or pushes them away? I aim to fall in the first category.
When they returned to Bethlehem, everyone in town was excited to see Naomi. She was so upset by her situation that she asked to be called Mara, because it made her bitter. It didn't matter to her that she had been missed, or that she had survived the bitter drought that she and her family left, or that she was able to return safely. Sometimes life can get that way for us. We can't so caught up thinking about everything that's going wrong in our lives that we fail to notice the way God is blessing us.
Lord, please help us to recognize how you are with us even when circumstances are less than perfect. Help us to see that there is always a blessing in our trials. Even though we come against adversity: sometimes we lose people that we love, sometimes we don't see how much we are loved, you always know what's best for us. Thank you, God, for always being with us and helping us to continue, as life goes on. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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