Journeys

One of the loveliest journeying stories of the Old Testament is found in the book of Ruth. There we read of how famine once again calls God’s people into exile. This time, however, God calls Ruth (a Moabite) out of Moab to go back to Bethlehem with those returning there.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Here is just a snippet of this wonder story; why not read the whole book of Ruth when you have time. In chapter 1 we read what could be called a Sad Journey Home. Driven from their homeland by famine, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons traveled to the land of Moab. Ten years later, Naomi found herself bereft of husband and sons with only two daughters-in-law. Hearing that the famine had ended in the land of Judah, she determined to return to her people.

How often do we find ourselves at a crossroad in life? Making what we believe to be a good decision, we set our hearts in a new direction and pray that God would guide our steps. Naomi had no idea of the plans of God for her. Returning in the bitterness of spirit, she could not imagine the blessings that awaited her in the land of Judah.

As we consider our lives, may we live this day for the honour and glory of God. May we take encouragement in the knowledge that God is directing our steps. Though the future is uncertain to us, it is not uncertain in the eyes of God. Let us seek His guidance through our study of His Word and in our times of prayer and praise to Him.

Heavenly Father, how blessed we are to have Your Word which reminds us, in so many ways, what a faithful God You are. It is so necessary to trust You in all things. Help me to examine my own life so that I may set my house in order. I want to be in the middle of Your will, moment by moment, and day by day. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.