Verse of the day: Ruth 1:6, Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.
In verse 1 we saw the sad fact that Israel was suffering from a famine in a land that was flowing with milk and honey. Elimelech, Naomi and their family went to dwell in Moab, from Bethlehem (House of Bread), looking to find what they were lacking in the Promise Land. Instead, what they found was death and misery. Naomi left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons, and came back a widow and childless. In spite of the famine, the better choice would have been to stay in their own land and country and not intermingle themselves with the idolatrous people of Moab. Even though Naomi had suffered great loss, we see God’s amazing grace working to bring her back to her people where she belonged. So it is with us when we turn away from God, instead of to Him, during difficult times. Abraham made a similar decision in Genesis 12 when he went to Egypt, without God’s direction, during a famine and put himself in a compromising position when he lied to the Pharaoh of that day. When we turn to the world, in our own wisdom, to solve difficulties that we should entrust to the Lord, we only invite complications. During Joseph’s time, when the famine came for seven years, God had already put Joseph in place to help save God’s people by providing for them during those years of famine (Genesis 47:13-27). As Naomi returns to the land of her people, we see God’s goodness, even in the midst of her suffering, in that He was already working out all that had happened, not only for her good, but for the good of Ruth, who although a Moabite woman, chose to follow the God of Israel (v.16-17). This journey would be the beginning of Ruth’s blessing in meeting her kinsman redeemer, Boaz, and being counted in the lineage of both Israel’s, and our, Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The truth of the matter is that we will have periods in our lives when we will find ourselves floundering in the world as a result of our own unwise and rebellious decisions. Sometimes a result of our own desires, or the result of becoming bitter because God allowed some difficulty to affect our lives. Praise be to God that He does not abandon us when we turn our backs on Him, even though we do not deserve His mercy, grace and forgiveness. When we turn back to Him, He, like the father of the prodigal son, is always ready to greet us with open arms to welcome us back (Luke 15). In this life we will experience many things, some of them very trying and painful. However, we have a God who, if we have trusted Him as Savior, promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). We must, however, be first content with whatever He allows, and secondly, trust that He work all things out for our good, for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). When we are experiencing those time of spiritual famine, let us not forget that we have the Bread of Life, and Living Water, to sustain us, give us strength, who in due time will walk with us in the valley, bring us out of it, and carry us to the mountain top. Like each of the famines that we read about, they pass. We must trust God during those times and not run to the world with their ungodly and empty promises, and solutions, that only complicate our lives further. If we have Jesus, we already have all the help we need in times of great trials. I will leave you with this thought from Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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