08-Sep-2024 – It is not yet over
Ruth 4:14: “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.”
The book of Ruth is one of the shorter books in the Bible, but it contains multiple encouraging testimonies to enrich our faith during challenging times. Today, we will look at Naomi’s life.
Naomi was content with her family. Her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons lived happily in Bethlehem. However, a famine struck the land, and they moved to Moab to escape it.
Ruth 1:3: “And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.”
The first blow came in the form of her husband’s death. He was the breadwinner and the strength of the family in a foreign land. Naomi became weak, but her hope rested in her two sons.
Ruth 1:5: “And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”
The second blow came with the death of her sons. Naomi was left utterly alone, like a tree that had been cut down. She lost all hope. All she had left were her two daughters-in-law, who were Moabite women. Accepting her fate, Naomi wanted to send them away so they could rebuild their lives by marrying someone from their own people.
Ruth 1:16: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
But in the midst of Naomi’s deep sorrow, God opened a way through Ruth. At first, Naomi didn’t realize it, though she may have felt a little comfort in having someone to stand with her in her loneliness. However, since Ruth was also a woman, Naomi might not have expected much from her beyond moral support.
Ruth 2:2: “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”
The first breakthrough for Naomi came at this point. Ruth wanted to go to the fields to gather some food for them both, and Naomi agreed and sent her. We know that Ruth ended up in the field of Boaz, who was a distant relative of Naomi.
Ruth 2:20: “And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.”
When Naomi heard the name of the man who showed kindness to Ruth, she immediately understood that the LORD had opened a way and praised Him for it. She encouraged Ruth to follow Boaz’s instructions and not to go to any other field. Finally, we see that Ruth, under her mother-in-law’s guidance, reveals the situation to Boaz. Boaz then arranges for the matter to be settled.
Ruth 4:14: “Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.”
Naomi’s situation had gone from bad to worse, but God did not leave her in despair. He opened a way through Ruth and paved the way for the lineage of the most beloved king of Israel, whom God Himself would later refer to as His son.
In your situations as well, when you are going through the toughest times in life, don’t lose hope. It is true that situations can be bitter, but until the last moment, do not give up. God can open doors in unexpected ways. It could be through a relationship, an opportunity, or a miraculous personal intervention. Whatever it may be, our God opens a way in your toughest times.
Prayer:
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching us today through another testimony of Your faithfulness in opening closed doors. Even in our lives, You will open doors when we feel that everything is over. Help us to trust and walk with You. Help us not to turn away from You. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!
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