WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? Lessons from the Book of Ruth.

     After studying my Open Heavens devotional this morning with lil sis, I decided to read my ‘Bible in one year’ bit alone so I could have my personal time with God.  Trust me, quiet time today was really fun and I’m so excited to share what I learnt with you. I read through Book of Ruth, learnt a few lessons from the main characters and also had my day dreaming moments, creating the perfect picture of my ideal mother-in-law (LOL! I pray she turns out to be as great as she looks in my dreams. Amen.  LOL! )

Anyway, here is the summary of my quiet time today. Hope it encourages/blesses/inspires you.

Ruth was a Moabite who was married to one of Naomi’s son.  However the marriage only lasted for about 10 years due to the death of her husband.  With nothing else to live for in a strange land after losing both husband and sons, Naomi made up her mind to go back to Israel her homeland but her daughter- in- laws wanted to go with her. On their way, she pleaded with them to go back but Ruth insisted on continuing with the journey while Orpah, the second daughter-in-law returned to her father’s house.

In Ruth 1:16, bible records Ruth saying to her mother-in-law “…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.”  What on earth made Ruth make that kind of decision? There was nothing exciting about going with Naomi to Israel, well maybe a change of environment was needed but on a serious note the journey seemed like a hopeless one.  Ruth was a young widow, there was no man waiting for her in  Bethlehem , no hope for shelter, riches or a better tomorrow but she insisted on relocating with Naomi. What exactly was she thinking? Who follows someone to an unknown place and decides to serve their God knowing fully well that this same God allowed the death of the woman’s husband and sons for reasons best known to Him?

… Hmmmm… While pondering on what her reasons were, it dawned on me that Naomi's life must have really inspired her daughter- in-laws. I think there was something sweet about her that made the ladies willing to leave their homeland for hers.  Ruth’s marriage to Naomi’s son only lasted 10 years but in those years she probably had an encounter with the God of Israel.  She must have watched her mother-in-law closely and noticed there was something great about her God. Hence the reason she said 'your God will be my God'. Despite the terrible things that befell Naomi, Ruth (a Moabite) was willing to serve the God she served.  This was a challenge to me… Does my lifestyle draw unbelievers to Christ or away from Him? Without opening my mouth to preach the gospel, will an unbeliever around me be able to say “Dear friend, your God will be my God”?    Naomi’s story is a practical and classic example of “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”-Matthew 5:16

Even though things had gone totally wrong for Naomi, Ruth followed her nevertheless. Ruth’s decision to serve Naomi’s God no matter the circumstance was the beginning of her greatness. On getting to Bethlehem, what they never bargained for happened!  Ruth found favour in the sight of a wealthy man named Boaz, he married her and together they had a son called Obed, who was the grandfather to King David. That physically hopeless journey Ruth took in faith despite all odds made her one of the greatest women who ever lived. From being a ‘nobody’, she became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor to Jesus.

At times in life, things may look rough and totally hopeless. We may not understand things happening around us and why God lets very terrible things happen but from Ruth’s story, we see that if we just learn to trust God and keep loving Him despite our challenges or past mistakes, we would realise that of a truth, ALL THINGS MAY NOT BE GOOD BUT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD.

3 lessons you must learn from the lives of Ruth and Naomi

1) Dedicating your live to God is the best decision you will ever make in life. No matter the challenges or trials you face, never let go of God! Trust, serve and love Him wholeheartedly. The decision to serve God despite all odds was the beginning of great things in the life of Ruth.  Her life turned around for good and she went from being a nobody to becoming the great-grand mother of famous king David.

2) Building a good and godly character will take you places.   Abigail Buren once said “The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.” Even though Ruth knew Naomi had nothing much to offer, she still treated her nicely.  Ruth’s kind, obedient, generous, committed and character made room for her at the top and she found favour in the eyes of Boaz.

3) Let your light shine wherever you go and let your life be a blessing to those around you! Don’t just be a Christian by words of mouth only, be a Christian in your works too. Let people see Jesus in you, like Naomi, show love!  Motivate others to good works, be nice to everyone you come across and make an impact in your world!

There are many more lessons from the Book of Ruth, do you mind sharing some? If yes, kindly leave a comment on the blog.

Remain Blessed,

LadyMay.