Ruth 2-4, John 4:43-54, Psalms 105:16-36, Proverbs 14:26-27
What God said to me – There are people who when they read a novel, once they get involved in the story, they stop and go read the end to make sure it has a happy ending before they proceed with reading it. They then settle down and enjoy the entire book even though they don’t know all that is going to happen because they know how it turns out in the end. In the story of Naomi and Ruth, when Naomi returned to her hometown with Ruth, she was bitter and sad because of the things that had happened to her. Now fast forward to the end of the book and you find the “happy” ending. Ruth was redeemed by a wealthy relative and became the great grandmother of king David and eventually Messiah. Ruth was a daughter-in-law who loved her and provided for her. Naomi wasted so much time on complaints and bitterness when My plan for her was peace and joy. So, how are you responding to the difficult things you encounter in your life? Are you wasting your life on bitterness and complaints or are you trusting My sovereignty and My promises and experiencing peace and joy? You’ve read the end of the book. You know how the story ends so you can praise in the in-between and live in faith and hope and trust. “I AM” faithful.