29-Jul-2024 – Stay in your appointed place or return to your appointed place.
Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman – Ruth 4:14
The book of Ruth is very encouraging and inspiring. It teaches us many things, but today we will focus on this verse and the revelation as the Holy Spirit gives us.
At the beginning of the book, Naomi and her whole family went to the country of Moab during a famine in the land of Judah. She and her husband thought they could save themselves from the famine by going to Moab. However, there was a disastrous turn of events:
And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. – Ruth 1:3
The breadwinner of the family, the strength of the family, was no more. The family became weak. The two sons took care of their mother and got married to Moabite women. They dwelled there for ten years, but then another disaster struck the family. Both sons died:
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. – Ruth 1:5
This was a pathetic situation for the whole family. All the males of the family were gone. That meant no more strength, no more protection, and no one to stand for them. They became vulnerable.
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 how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. – Ruth 1:6
Naomi left her homeland because of the famine. Her homeland was the promised land given by God. Her God does not leave His children. If they are in trouble, He will not leave them without mercy and grace. The message of hope reached Naomi only because the Father in heaven, with everlasting love, allowed it.
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: – Ruth 1:16
God not only allowed the message to reach Naomi but also showered His grace through her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Ruth stood with Naomi. Staying with Naomi meant accepting a life of emptiness and barrenness, for Naomi had nothing. But Ruth respected the relationship and went from being her daughter-in-law to becoming her daughter. She pledged and proclaimed that the God of Naomi was her God.
We know the story, but today, the point we need to learn from our theme, “if you believe,” is to stay calm in famine-like situations unless God tells you or guides you on what to do. If you have already taken steps against the advice of God, you will have to face the consequences. When you are going through the bad phase resulting from your wrong decisions, if you believe in God, return to Him in your current state.
For Naomi, she left the land given by God and lost her husband and children. When she returned to her land given by God, she regained the support of family members through Ruth and Boaz.
For us, if we are wise enough to trust the LORD in adverse situations, we will not get into difficult situations like Naomi. But if we have dealt foolishly and invited unexpected and unpleasant repercussions, remember that we belong to the heavenly Father. If you believe this truth, turn back immediately to your Father, and He will surely establish you again.
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for teaching us today through the life of Naomi about the importance of being with you and being in the place you have ordained. Even if we foolishly stray, you will not leave us but gather us back. Help us to understand this truth and set our lives according to your will. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen!
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