Naomi & Ruth: Best of Times, Worst of Times {Written 5/10/10}

I've always loved the story of Ruth and Naomi, maybe it's because I have felt that same love and devotion for someone as Ruth did for Naomi.  Possibly the desire for an example, or mentor, to look up to and learn from, as she follows Christ, and to share together in both the good times and bad. My mind often goes to that time and wonders what it really would have been like to have had each other to lean on, and to have that total commitment coming from both sides. It's not very often you find that anymore, at least I've not been successful in doing so because there is always someone or something else more important and the "unconditional" love has not been returned. Life just gets too busy for some, it seems.  My heart is overwhelmed at times with the love that the Lord has given me for people, considering that no matter how much I commit myself and life to another to serve, encourage, love and uplift it's usually either misunderstood, not accepted or taken for granted.  People often do not value relationships as they once did.  Everything is “business”, or they are just in the relationship for what THEY can benefit from it! There are far too many “takers” than “givers”.  Nevertheless, I wish you would go with me for a few minutes to the story of Ruth and Naomi, two ladies who truly stood by each other through both the good and bad times. As you and I both know Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah. They had a wonderful family until Naomi lost both her husband and her two sons, also leaving Ruth and Orpah widowed. Most young women these days would move on with their lives and leave the pain behind and want to move on to other things, not stick with their mother-in-law, but Ruth chose not to do so. Rather, she chose to stay by Naomi's side, and her reward was great! Don't get me wrong, they had hardships to endure, but making them easier to deal with was the fact that they had the commitment and companionship of each other…and the Lord! They were devoted, not only to God, but to one another. One of their stories can't be mentioned without bringing the other in. Their families feasted while others were in a state of famine. The Lord greatly blessed them and thennnn.....such great loss. First Naomi loses her husband, and then her two sons. I'm sure you have faced something similar in that you go through a season of bliss and blessings and then straight into tests, trials and heartaches...I know I have. Many times people have brought up the scripture in Romans 8:28....Nooowww weeee knoooooow that all things work together..... well you know how the scripture goes. During these times this is the hardest thing to see. We often wonder "How in the world could any good come out of this thing that I am facing?" "There's nothing good here!" We analyze our situation trying to see the positive around every corner yet it is nowhere to be found. Can I say something right now before I go on? I've been there, even recently, and still go through those times, BUT, I can look back and tell you there are many, many times when I felt like that that I KNOW the Lord had good to come out of it. There were not only many lessons learned and growing spurts that took place but there have also been people along the way that were going through the same thing and needed my help.  We all know that it is those who have been THROUGH those similar circumstances who can sincerely help and encourage. You can’t possibly understand a person, or their needs, if you haven’t been where they are.  For instance, my need for a “family”…complete!  If you have had both parents and surrounded with family, you wouldn’t understand my need.  Many people just take those kinds of things for granted…especially growing up!  If you haven’t had an alcoholic deadbeat father, then how can you know how we, who do, feel?  We can’t even fully understand what our Heavenly Father is suppose to be like because we’ve had no comparison or example of having a positive male influence in our lives.  Anywho, I said all that to say, unless you've been in someone's shoes you really don't know how to minister and encourage that person except to point them to Jesus and pray with them and just be a listening ear…and that’s EXACTLY what you should do!  Don’t criticize or misjudge because you don’t understand my pain!  There is still that need for compassion and companionship through those difficult times, and someone who understands the way we feel. Well let's get back to the story of Ruth and Naomi. When we are in a hard place in life, it's not the time to give up, break down or fall apart. We MUST trust in God, in many, many cases He is ALL we have. It's wonderful to have that person in your life as Naomi and Ruth had each other, but that's not always the case. Famine came and upon hearing that there was food in Bethlehem Naomi decided to make the journey back. Knowing the struggles they would face during their return she urged both Ruth and Orpah to return to their families where hopefully they would have a better life and future. Orpah chose to do so, but Ruth, oh how wise she was, Ruth chose to remain with Naomi. Where Naomi had once depended on her husband and sons, all she had now was Ruth. What was once a life of abundance had become one of tragic losses and both Naomi and Ruth made their journey back to Bethlehem broken before the Lord. Naomi even went as far as changing her name to “Mara", meaning bitter. She says in verse 21, "I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty". How many times have we said that? He doesn't want us to be bitter. He desires for us to allow the pain to make us a better person. It is impossible to be bitter and thankful at the same time as Ephesians 5:20 says. It is through our thankful hearts that we will become a better person and a witness for Him. God was sovereign to them through this difficult time. Once they arrived in Bethlehem it was not a coincidence that Ruth ended up in the field of Boaz. Ruth may have been alone but in her search the Lord directed her to Boaz's field, who we all know later became her husband. I was looking at a quote today that I had written down. "God wisely orders small events; and those that seem altogether...{unconditional} serve his own glory and the good of his people. Many a great affair is brought about by a little turn, which seemed...{lucky or accidental} to us, but was directed by Providence with design." We must purpose to look for the hand of God in all our circumstances, believe that He works through our experiences, and trust that He will work ALL things together for our good. Times may get difficult but we must be committed to God's direction and plan for our lives just as Ruth said, "Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people; and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried." Have you ever had this type of commitment to anyone (mother, best friend, husband, etc.) or anything? I can say that I have, and my heart longs for this type of commitment once again, that bond of knowing that no matter what may come, there's someone right there going through it with you. Ruth followed Naomi as Naomi also followed the Lord. Boaz made provision for Ruth and Naomi and also stated something that just comforts my heart "The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." That just gives me chills. "Under whose wings" I am so thankful that we can hide under His wings for times of refuge and comfort. Are you resting under His wings? Do you run to Him in those difficult times? Or, do you begin to call yourself "bitter"? I've been on both sides. Let me tell you one thing is for certain that one way makes you one miserable person, and that's the way of bitterness! I have learned one thing and that is to learn from the older women, as Ruth did with Naomi. Learn from those who have paved the way and shown us what it's like to come THROUGH hardships. Allow their lives to serve as an example and teach us God's way for managing our own lives. Many of our young people today choose not to do this. They say “awww things are different now”, but the thing is, the principles and message are not! I have learned that you do need to be cautious WHO you look up to as an example, respect, and want to pattern after.  However, it is a good thing to have that someone, or more than one, that you can admire and, as I believe it was Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ". Only if there were more Naomi's willing to be those mentors and examples out there....and even more, if there were more Ruth's who were willing to follow at any "risk" or "cost". I am so thankful for those the Lord allows to come into my life and have the utmost respect and admiration for their guidance and direction. Take my advice though, be careful of who those people are! There aren't many Naomi's out there so treasure, respect and admonish one when you find her. Ruth was rewarded for doing so. Not only did she learn life lessons but she ended up back in the blessings of the Lord. When suffering comes, seek and plan to respond in a Godly, faith-filled way. Let your song rise above your sorrow and choose to hide under His wings. Ruth was a virtuous woman. She was devoted to her family (1:15-18), delighted in her work (2:2), was dedicated to Godly speech (2:10, 13), depended on God (2:12), dressed with care (3:3), was discreet with men (3:6-13), and delivered many blessings(4:14,15). Lord I thank You for those “Naomis” and I pray that You would continue to mold my heart as a "Ruth". I will leave you with the lyrics to this song:

Under His Wings 

"Under His wings I am safely abiding, 

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild; 

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me, 

He has redeemed me, and I am His child. 

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow! 

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest! 

Often when earth has no balm for my healing, 

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed. 

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment! 

There will I hide till life's trials are o'er; 

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, 

Resting in Jesus, I'm safe evermore. 

Under His wings, under His wings, 

Who from His love can sever? 

Under His wings my soul shall abide, 

Safely abide forever."