Daily Treasure

“I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty” (Ruth 1:21a).

           

For my devotion today I want to do some afterthoughts from yesterday’s devotion. As I read over some great commentaries on the book of Ruth, I felt led to share what I studied. If I might be somewhat creative let’s look at Naomi’s story thus far. It has similarities of the parable of the “prodigal son.” She had left a good life and wound up in the “pig pen” of Moab. She faced much adversity but came to her senses and headed back to the “Father.” Thanks to the love and loyalty of Ruth, Naomi didn’t have to go back to Bethlehem alone. Many times in our own “wanderings” away from God, He places people in our lives to strengthen our resolve and determination to turn back to God or draw closer to Him. We don’t always see how full our life is until we are made to feel empty. Naomi’s name might have meant, “pleasant” but right now she wasn’t feeling that way. Heading back to Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi still didn’t know what the future would hold for them. I do believe both of them came to the realization it is God who holds the future. These women may not have had much, but, they had God and each other.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for a greater outreach to internationals (strangers living in our land).

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

           

When faced with grief and a sense of despair, first you cry. You feel hopeless and the tears don’t want to stop. All three of the women in our story took a turn at having a good cry. Naomi had learned to love her daughters-in-law in spite of their heritage. The time had come for Naomi to come to terms with her dilemma. It was time to stop crying and make a commitment. In spite of her own feelings, she looked to her “daughters” and told them to go on with their lives. She had had enough of Moab. She wanted to return to Bethlehem even if she had to go there alone. In spite of her love for Naomi, Orpah decided to go back to her people. She cried as she made her commitment and kissed Naomi good-bye. Then Ruth, who was obviously drawn to God because of Naomi’s faith in God, uttered some of the most beautiful words ever written. These words, mingled with tears, spoke of Ruth’s commitment. She was not only pledging her life and loyalty to Naomi, but to Almighty God. Mothers-in-law never underestimate your godly influence on your extended family. Later we are going to see how their love for God and each work together for their good.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Widows, both young and old, in our churches and communities, need our prayers. Let them know you are praying today; ask God how you can encourage or befriend them.

“And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband” (Ruth 1:3-5).

 

We see in today’s verses that Moab wasn’t just a stopping point and the family moved on. They decided to settle down there. The two sons intermarried by taking Moabite women as their wives. Their names were Orpah and Ruth. Then tragedy strikes. Elimelech dies first leaving his wife Naomi with their sons. Then Naomi’s sons die leaving her with just her daughters-in-law. Women, at this time, were helpless without men to take care of them. Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth are grieving and feel a sense of hopelessness. What were they going to do? What would you have done? Consider what anyone does when they feel God is far from them. How many times have you faced problems and wondered where was God? When we get to the point we feel our circumstances are bigger than God, we will make matters worse. Turn your “plight” over to the One who changes not.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for missionary widows and widows of pastors or ministry leaders. Encourage one with a card or telephone call.

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife, and his two sons” (Ruth 1:1).

           

This month we will be delving into the story of the life of Ruth. It’s important we first see the time and setting of her story. It begins and ends with the city of Bethlehem. Jesus may not have been born in Bethlehem if this were not true. We are going to learn about a family who left Bethlehem during a dark time in the history of Israel. The word “Bethlehem” meant “house of bread” and “judah” meant praise. At this time there’s no bread or praise going on because there was a famine in the land. Famines were often sent as a judgment from God. Elimelech and his family (Ruth 1:2) traveled to Moab to find food. Of all the places they could have chosen, this was not a good choice. Moab was a place of outcasts who despised Israel. Psalm 108:9 refers to Moab as a “wash pot.” One commentary I read said we would probably use the phrase, “garbage can.” Why would anyone, much less a godly man and his family, leave “bread and praise’ for such an awful place? First of all, if their faith had been stronger they never would have left their homeland. What usually happens during troubled times? There is a tendency for people to become scared and run. Often times, the running is away from God instead of to Him.

           

Tomorrow we will be introduced to Ruth, a Moabite woman. We will later learn what happens to Elimelech and his family who never should have left Bethlehem.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray as Bible Institute classes in Brazil resume in February. Pray for endurance because the students work during the day and study at night.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

As the bookkeeper for WNAC, I know just how much the following prayer request is needed. We have faced some really difficult decisions in our office recently and we are still in a bind financially. Please diligently take this request to our Father. He has promised in His Word that He will hear us.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for 2009 finances of the WNAC office. How can you help?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

This command is pretty straight-forward. It is hard to misunderstand. We are to study, otherwise we will shame ourselves and God’s Word as we live in an ungodly manner. We will not know what to say or do when others are looking at our lives and listening to us. But, when we study His Word, He will help us know what to say and how to act. So – Study His Word!

PRAY TOGETHER:  Reflect on your thought life and Bible study habits during January; pray about ways to continue or to alter these patterns in February.

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

 

Dare to be a good example to the next generation of those who appear on your family tree. Our writer talks of “generational sin.” Just because you have some unsavory characters for relatives doesn’t mean you have to be like them. You can “branch” out and strive to make a difference in the lives of those present and future that make up your lineage. Teach your children and grandchildren the truths of God’s Word in word or testimony. In doing so you are helping to avoid a sequel being written to the story we have just finished in Genesis 38. 

           

You are writing your story as you live each day. Is it one of redemption with a happy ending? If it is, share it with your loved ones. There may be some Tamars who need to know about the grace of God.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  “Hindus in India tell Christians: Convert or Die” headlined newspapers recently. Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters and for senior missionary in India, Carlisle Hanna.