- But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Ruth 1:16 – In this chapter we are introduced to a family of Israel that chose to turn away from the Lord during a time when the whole nation of Israel was turning away from the Lord. This family left the promised land and entered a neighboring land that was known for their vile idolatry. They remained there for over a decade and even chose to marry their two sons to two ladies from this pagan land (something God specifically forbid in scripture). In their time in this pagan land this family saw the tragedy of death come to many in this small family. Yet, after turning away from the Lord and going to a pagan land and finding themselves living in this pagan culture, Naomi, the mother in the family, chooses to return to the land of Israel (symbolizing a return back to the Lord). In this whole process though do you do see when Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law from this pagan nation, chose to begin following God herself? It was when Naomi chose to walk faithfully after the Lord again. Not once during the over a decade of this family’s time in this pagan land do we see Ruth saying, “Your God my God,” but when Naomi faithfully returned to the Lord is when we see this confession of Ruth take place. Never underestimate what the Lord can do with our faithful walk. When we are walking after sin, we’re helping no one following Jesus or fall in love with Jesus. Yet, when we choose to follow Jesus, others will see that choice and God can use that to shape their heart for Himself. You may have been walking in sin for over a decade and you think your life could never be used for the Lord now. Let this passage settle the debate, you can still be used powerfully for the Lord even after years of rejection of Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3016
- Ruth 1 Daily DEVO “I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” So Naomi returned…Ruth 1:21-22a – Often life and the situations we find ourselves in within it can begin to create new ways of seeing ourselves. Those ways aren’t always positive either like we see with Naomi. Her difficulties made her see herself has one that God looked bitterly on and despised. So she began labeling herself that way and telling others to do the same. Yet how do we see God in His Word refer to Naomi after all this? He calls her Naomi, who see really is, not by the lies she’s told herself. Our goal needs to be trying to see ourselves more in the way God sees us. Maybe that going to be humbling, maybe that’s going to be shocking even. God though sees us as we really are, not shaded by lies or influenced by anyone. Learn how He sees you and let that be how you see yourself. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 602
- Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. Ruth 1:6-7 – Last night a tornado hit a city very close to our own. When you can stand in your driveway and see the tornado coming down from the sky, you need something bigger than yourself to trust in. Naomi was dealing with her own natural disaster, famine. Her family moved from one place to another in search for food to provide for themselves. Yet just like us last night, Naomi was in a season she needed someone bigger than herself working for her good. In Deuteronomy 8:3 we see scripture remind us that man doesn’t live by bread alone but by the word of God. In our moments, or seasons, of deep need we need someone bigger than us providing for us and sustaining us. Yes, run to your storm shelter but remember to as well run to your true shelter in the storm. Yes, seek bread to fill your stomachs but remember to seek the bread of life for true filling. Maybe that sounds a little too poetic for you, but my heart is simply don’t forget Jesus in these moments. You have God’s ear listening to your voice and you have God’s hand on your life. Don’t forget what you have in Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1979
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