Accompanied by unfailing love

Ruth 1:1-22.

I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year!

The Book of Ruth has been called the most beautiful short story ever written because of its simple narrative. A narrative that shows how God’s provision for our needs or challenges is often woven into the simple acts of human kindness.

Chapter 1 shows the kindness of a daughter-in-law, Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi (v8, 16, 22), and we’ll see God at work through that. But first, the passage sets the context by introducing us to Naomi’s loss…

Naomi lost her family…

When Naomi (which means pleasant) is first introduced, we are told of her loss. A woman in a foreign land who lost her family (v1-5). She feels bitter, empty and afflicted by the Lord (v21). Why so? …Because Naomi knows Israel’s God to be the Almighty—Sovereign. He can bring famine to a disobedient Israel (v1) and relieve it (v6). So, God chose this for me—“the Lord has afflicted me” (v20-21). But could this be?

Ruth shows Naomi ‘unfailing’ love…

As Naomi decides to return home to Israel and say her goodbyes to her daughters-in-law (v6-13), she soon experiences, in Ruth (which means compassion), a love that clings strong (v14), even beyond death (v17). In Ruth, Naomi experiences God’s unfailing love, which we experience more profoundly in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).

Naomi begins again with a new family…

V19 and 22 says, “So the two women went on to Bethlehem...So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth.” Naomi is no longer alone. And Naomi will have another beginning with harvest (v22), where there was once famine (v1) because the unfailing love of the Almighty accompanies her. But Naomi doesn’t still know this yet!

And this is part of what makes Naomi's story encouraging…the fact that even when we don’t feel it, God’s unfailing compassion is woven into our lives and accompanies us with new beginnings of hope.

Reflect & Pray

What recently has caused fear or sorrow to you? How might you remind yourself and others of God's unfailing love?

Thank you, Father, that You surround us with your unfailing love. Help us to extend this love and kindness to others this year, in Jesus' name, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV.

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