A Glimmer of Hope - July 8

Read Ruth 1:6-10 (ESV)

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. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.”

Reflect

Who does the narrator (possibly the prophet, Samuel) credit as the source of the return of food to the land of Judah?

Have you ever been in the midst of dire straits when all of a sudden you see a tiny sliver, just a glimmer of hope in your circumstances? It’s a long shot but it is your only option and maybe, just maybe, it will be the breakthrough you have been waiting for…

That is what we see for Naomi in today’s passage—a possible breakthrough. Remember, Naomi was destitute at this point. Her husband had taken her and their two sons to a foreign land, Moab, to ride out the famine that was in the land of Judah. They were there for about ten years. But her husband died in Moab. Her two sons married Moabite women but they were never blessed with children and then, tragically, her two sons also died! Naomi was left with only her foreign daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, facing the very real threat of starvation.

But then, we catch a glimmer of hope. She heard some good news that “the LORD had visited His people and given them food” (v. 6). Given that most famines were caused by droughts, the visit of the Lord most likely came in the form of rains which allowed the people of Judah to grow their crops once again. But the narrator rightly credits Yahweh as the Provider and Giver of the renewed sustenance to His people.

Did you know that Bethlehem means “the house of bread”? The irony during the famine was that the house of bread had no bread. Now that God had provided more rain and crops had grown, the “House of Bread” had been restocked. Hearing of this gift of God, Naomi knew that her best chance of survival was to leave Moab and return home to Bethlehem. So Naomi set out with Orpah and Ruth to Judah but as they traveled, she realized it was in her daughter-in-law’s best interests to remain in their homeland, even though it meant that she would have to travel all alone.

She blessed them both, praying that God would grant them each rest in the home of a new husband. But their response demonstrated the loving relationship they must have had with Naomi. They didn’t want to leave her. They wanted to leave their homeland and go with her to Judah. They didn’t want to say good-bye. What another gracious gift from God to have such loving in-laws that make it so hard to say good-bye!

Friends, even when life is tough and circumstances are dire, God is still sovereign. He is still in control. He is still working. If you are in the midst of dire straits, keep searching for a glimmer of hope from God. Notice and acknowledge all of the ways that He has graciously provided blessings for you. When you stop worrying long enough to count, you’ll be surprised at how many gifts He’s given and just how much hope you have in Him.

Respond

Lord, sometimes life is really difficult. Sometimes my situation looks hopeless. But I know that You are sovereign over it all. I know that You have a plan for my good and Your glory. Help me to trust You. Open my eyes to all of the blessings and glimmers of hope I have from You. Amen.

Reveal: How might your faith and hope in the midst of dire circumstances, reveal the Lord to others around you?

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