Day 9 - 40 Days in the Old Testament

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day  9 | REDEMPTION
REDEMPTION

Ruth 1:16
“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.’”
 (NLT)

The book of Ruth is a beautiful love story set during a most difficult time. Many have called it the most beautiful short story ever written.  

It occurred during the same time as Judges when “there was no king, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”  Additionally, there is a great famine throughout the land.   The story is one of profound emptiness, bitterness, and despair… eventually turning into joy and celebration!

Have you been there?  Ever faced an overwhelming difficulty? Have you ever felt alone, empty, and full of despair and wondered where things are going? Welcome to the book of Ruth.

This book is a sweet story and one of only two books in the Bible named after women.

The book is written from Naomi’s point of view… she was Ruth’s mother-in-law.  Like Job later in the Bible, Naomi lost everything: home, husband, and sons. She was considered the lowest… poor and widowed. She cries out in grief, and God puts Ruth in her path.

The KEY concepts from this book include obedience to God and trusting Him enough to follow.
 
A side teaching might be our need to do as James 1:27 teaches: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.”

Finally, we must remember that we belong to a loving, faithful, and powerful God who NEVER FAILS to care for His children.  As Ruth and Boaz demonstrate in this short book, we are called to live faithfully to God and by His grace, regardless of the godless culture around us.

Prayer: LORD, help me live a faithful life to You, full of grace and peace. Amen.