Ruth

April 15

Ruth 1:1-5

A peaceful home

During the time that Israel was ruled by judges there was a famine in the land. A man who was living in Bethlehem at that time moved to the land of Moab with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons.

While they were living there Naomi’s husband died and she was left alone with her two sons. Naomi’s sons married women from Moab. One woman’s name was Orpah, and the other was Ruth. After about ten years both sons died and Naomi was left without a husband or sons.

Why do bad times come to ruin our good times?

Imagine if the world was as flat as a board: no canyons or cliffs, no valleys or mountains. What if it wasn’t only flat, but everything on it was the same color: no happy reds and oranges, and no darker shades of blue and green.

Life is seldom uneventful for long. Our lives seem full of ups and downs. However, God doesn’t just let us have good and bad times to keep us from getting bored; there is a purpose for everything that happens to us. God uses the ups and downs to help us grow in different ways. Struggles help our characters to grow strong; difficulties build up our faith; and tough times help us become more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). But more often than not, God sends us times of blessings so we can renew our strength, take courage and enjoy life!

Life was rather up and down for Naomi. First, it was the hardship of a famine and moving to a distant country. Then there were happy weddings and a peaceful home life. And then her husband and sons died. Life had also robbed Ruth and Orpah of their joy at a young age. Yet even as spring follows winter, and dawn follows the dark night, so our seasons of hardship will pass.

Verse for today

…We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4