“And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
(Ruth 4:15 NKJV)
Have you walked through a season where you felt abandoned by God? I have, when depression clouded my mind. Maybe, you feel God doesn’t love you, or God has withheld His blessings from you, while everyone around you is abundantly blessed. Do you think God’s mad at you, or are you angry with Him?
Naomi felt all of the above. She knew her husband defied God when he moved their family to Moab, an enemy of Israel, to escape a famine in their homeland of Bethlehem. Naomi had no say in the matter. Today, I would tell my husband, “You can’t outrun our problems. Trust God.” I would argue my point, but that simply wasn’t done in biblical times.
Once in Moab, Naomi’s sons married Moabite women and her husband died. Then her sons passed away too. Three widows were left hopeless with no man to protect them or provide for them.
Naomi gave up on God. She returned to Bethlehem only because she heard food was plentiful there, not because she wanted to restore her relationship with God. She insisted that her daughters-in-law return to their parents, but persistent Ruth wouldn’t leave her side.
Upon their arrival, Naomi’s old friends saw the stress lines on her face. She insisted that they call her Mara, which means “Bitterness.” God never allows the author of Ruth to call her anything but Naomi, which means “pleasant.”
Life took a turn for the better when Ruth married Boaz, and they had a son. This bundle of blessing restored hope to Naomi.
Ruth never left Naomi’s side, even when Naomi tried to get rid of her. She endured the misery and self-pity Naomi expressed. We all need someone like Ruth in our lives. Someone who can put up with us and still be our friend. Naomi didn’t recognize the blessing of Ruth until she had a baby. Naomi’s eyes were blinded by helplessness, and initially, she couldn’t perceive Ruth as a blessing sent by God.
Maybe you feel like Naomi today. Open your eyes and look for the Ruth in your life. Who is the person that won’t leave you? Your situation may appear grim, but God hasn’t abandoned you for some terrible decisions you made in the past, nor has He forsaken you because of the decisions of another.
Perhaps you are the one who can be Ruth to someone you know. You can be the bright light in their sea of darkness. You can be their blessing that removes their bitterness. I get it, bitter people are miserable to hang out with, but ask God to show you the Naomi in your world.
We can learn so much from both Naomi and Ruth. Beautiful women from Bethlehem.
Heavenly Father, help me understand Your love and care for me. Help me depart from a bitter attitude and look for the blessings in life. Show me someone to love and minister to in their time of need. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read the book of Ruth (only 4 chapters).
HIKING THE TRAIL
Are you Naomi or Ruth? Either way, you need someone to fill that other role. Who is it?
RELATED RESOURCE
Come join a group of women who pray and walk-in faith together on Facebook. A Mountain of Faith Women’s Ministry is a group of women I lead and we welcome all ladies who want a place to grow in Christ. Join us here.
Originally posted on March 8, 2021 @ 3:00 am
I am a Ruth for sure. This Ruth could use a Ruth in her life.
Did you mean you need a Naomi? I will try to be Ruth to you if that is what you meant. Long distance hugs.
I have really only had Naomi’s in my life the woman who kept trying to get me to stop following her around. I don’t need any more Naomi’s in my life trying to push this Ruth away. I have never had a Ruth in my life that was that loyal friend who never left my side no matter what.
I will try to be that good friend. I have never had lasting friendships. I’ve come to the conclusion that people are like ships passing in the night.