The Book of Ruth was written to help us all see God’s grace in our lives and to help us trust His grace even when the clouds are so thick that we can’t see the road. We also see how, in our own lives, God acts to turn our setbacks into stepping stones for joy and that God is always working on our behalf…for our good.
Naomi’s gift in Ruth: Naomi’s whole life caved in when she lived in Moab and God gave her Ruth.
And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you;
for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge.
Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.
Ruth 1:16
Ruth has a commitment and a love for God. Because of that, she had a deep commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth 2:12, Ruth goes to Judah with Naomi to take refuge under the shelter of God. She left her own home and family to serve her mother-in-law. God was turning Naomi’s setbacks into joy—even when she didn’t see His grace.
Ruth 1:12, Naomi suggests that Ruth will not be able to remarry but little did they know that God was preserving a wealthy man after God’s own heart, named Boaz. In Ruth 2:20, Naomi realizes that God is behind the meeting of Boaz and Ruth. God’s lesson is this—in every loss we endure, God is already plotting our gain.
See, God was always at work in Naomi’s life and in her setbacks. She loses her husband and sons…God gave her Ruth. No children?…God gives her Boaz (Ruth and Boaz meet and they give Naomi grandchildren.) So many lessons in this story show how God replaces the losses we endure, and He is so loving and faithful to do so. Our lives, as we serve Him, may not go along perfect and straight, but God sees that we do get there.
The Book of Ruth wants us to learn that God’s purpose for our lives is to show us something far greater than ourselves and our circumstances. As well as a life full of joy and peace and love abundant. He wants us to know that when we follow Him, our lives have meaning; and that everything we do in obedience to Him, no matter how small, is significant. He also wants us to know that the best is yet to come. Stay the course, follow Him always and hang on for the greatest adventure of your life! It’s gonna be wild, it’s gonna be great, and it’s gonna be full of Him!
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Do you know Him? He loves you and wants the best for you. He has a life planned for you that is full of blessings and is to give you joy and so much more. If you do want to know Him, then pray this prayer with me:
Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I need You. I believe that Your Son, Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins. I want You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I trust You and I love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
{If you prayed this prayer, let us know in the comment section below. We would love to talk to you about this decision you’ve just made.}
About Kim Spring
Great lesson, Kim, thank you!
I loved this line–“God’s lesson is this—in every loss we endure, God is already plotting our gain.” I’m so thankful that God is with us, and ahead of us, each day of our lives.