Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 24, 2024
Ruth 1:15-22
15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her gods. Turn back after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do this to me and more so if even death separates me from you.” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her about it. 19 So both of them went along until they arrived at Bethlehem. When they arrived at Bethlehem, the whole town was excited on account of them, and the women of the town asked, “Can this be Naomi?” 20 She replied to them, “Don’t call me Naomi, but call me Mara, for the Almighty has made me very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has returned me empty. Why would you call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has deemed me guilty?” 22 Thus Naomi returned. And Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, returned with her from the territory of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Good Morning! God sustains us in our times of grief and struggle.
Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Naomi had suffered great losses, her husband and both of her sons died, and she was bitter that God allowed such a thing to happen. After the death of Naomi’s husband and sons, Naomi, Orpah and Ruth entered a desperate situation. They had no men in their family to support them, and so were seemingly doomed to a life of poverty. At that time, a widow had very few prospects and had to rely upon the goodness of others to survive.
Naomi, who wished better things for her daughters-in-law, told them to go back to their own people. Why would Ruth decide to stay with Naomi instead of returning to her own people? Ruth had great love for Naomi, and despite the loss of her husband, she chose to stay with her.
Despite the challenges, Ruth chose to be faithful to Naomi and to God. Ruth's love for Naomi compelled her to stay. She gladly gave up her family, homeland, and chance at marriage to follow Naomi and serve God. When Ruth expressed her unconditional love for Naomi; she received unconditional love in return.
Through Ruth’s faithfulness, she and Naomi would be blessed and live as faithful stewards of God. God calls us to make difficult decisions and to step out in faith. God promises to bless those who choose to follow and live the life they’re called to lead.
Loving God, Thank you for creating us. God calls us to trust and follow where we are led. Thank you for leading us to unknown blessings. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God can turn our sorrows into joys.
Choose Joy and be blessed! Pastor Liz
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