Have you ever wondered: is the Lord’s hand in this or am I just on my own? Maybe you’ve asked that question in the past. Or maybe you are asking it right now. Naomi may have wondered about that as she left Moab for a two week journey to Bethlehem. Naomi’s husband and sons had died, and she began her trip with her two daughters-in-law. As they began their journey Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their homes, but Ruth would not be persuaded.
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. 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 punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. [1]Ruth 1:16-17.
Naomi and Ruth safely arrived in Bethlehem in late spring at the beginning of the barley harvest. As the story unfolds, Ruth was able to find work picking up grain left by harvesters in the fields. The first field she came to was owned by a kind man by the name of Boaz. Only later would he become her husband. Naomi, who may have wondered if God had a plan for her, would find out that He did. The Lord did not drop her. The Lord was faithful even when she doubted, and the Lord provided for her in a way she did not expect.
Jeremiah, the prophet, writes this prior to their nation being taken into captivity: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [2]Jeremiah 29:11. God’s plan did not look like a good one on the front end. Many times, we just have to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing.
Is the Lord calling you to trust in Him as you walk with a lamp to guide your path? Many times, we would prefer a search light to light our path. Although that may seem helpful, knowing to much at once would overwhelm us and not be helpful.
Take the Lord’s hand and let Him guide you with his lamp. To hear more about Naomi in crisis listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-during-crisis
[1, 2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ru 1:16–18, Jeremiah 29:11). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.