Day 3 – Ruth 1:6-13
Opening Prayer: Father, when I am grief-stricken, teach me to return to you. Thank you for making a way, even in our darkest days.
Read: Ruth 1:6-13
In your 4R journal:
- Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
- Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.
After the loss of her two sons Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem. (If you read closely, you will see some form of the word “return” over and over in chapter one, which is a picture of repentance or returning to God.) At first both daughters-in-law followed her. Nevertheless, Naomi urged them to return home as she blessed them.
Reflection:
- Have you ever been caught between two “good” things?
- How were you able to discern between the two and make a choice?
My Verse: Ruth 1:13b, “It is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me.”
My Response: Father, forgive me when I question Your goodness. Turn my face away from circumstances and up to the face of Your Son who lovingly gave His life for me.
Don’t be too hard on Naomi for believing that the hand of the Lord had gone against her. After all, her experience was painful and bleak since she left Bethlehem. She had suffered famine, left her homeland, her family, her friends, her faith community, and entered a life of strife.
Similarly, when I moved to New England from Oregon in 2000, I felt abandoned by God. Thankfully, none of my loved ones died. Still, I was lost. At the time my husband was not a believer and I was confused and alone. No longer surrounded by the only church family I had known; I grieved the loss and was even angry with God.
Finally, I relented and committed to a new church that was wholly different. In the meantime, I suffered from severe allergies, a bout of walking pneumonia, all-over-my-body Poison-Ivy, and an ER visit for a life-threatening sinus infection, all in one year!
Reflection:
- Share an experience where you felt like “The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.”
- How did God reveal His perfect plan?
In the end, Naomi did find a blessing in both Orpah and Ruth, but she did not want them to suffer as she had. Yet, we discover in Ruth a Christ-like devotion that can only be borne by love.
“May the Lord reward your work and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 NASB)
The next step:
When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share your response.
- Share an experience where you felt like “The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.”
- How did God reveal His perfect plan?
Or
- Share your 4R Response
