RUTH 1:1 CONTINUED...

Get Perspective

Read:

“Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. . . .” Ruth 1:1

Reflect:

Ruth is an amazing story. As we go through this book, remember that this is the same God we serve today! What an amazing God we have‼

The first 5 verses of the book of Ruth give us background history of Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. We will discover that, like many of us, Ruth was in season of famine. For us it might be a financial, emotional, or spiritual famine. Wherever the lack may be in your life, it’s important to get perspective.

God uses things we consider to be devastating to bring about His will. The famine in Israel was so bad that Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, were forced to move to the neighboring country of Moab in order to survive. This move was foreordained by God in order to preserve the line of Christ. In this process, Elimelech died, leaving Ruth with her two sons. Mahlon and Chilion both married Moabite women, and in the course of time, both died leaving Naomi with only her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. It had been ten years since Naomi left her home and what a sorrowful time it had been. How could God use such circumstances for His own glory?

It’s difficult for us to see how events work toward a redemptive end – but they do. We are creatures of the here and now, but God views the entire course of human history from the time of Adam and Eve until the end of time. We cannot even fathom the power of God as He works in the lives of all people to bring about the plans which He has made before our time began.

Remember this as you view your own circumstances and those of others around you. Because God is authoring your story, you are able to maintain a peaceful countenance. It is not in our own power to do so, only in Christ can we find peace and joy, even when things about us seem to come tumbling down.

Respond:

Go to Christ today, the One who is the only source of true peace and joy.