“And Ruth said, Entreat 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).
In this most moving story, everything that could go wrong in Elimelech’s life did! After fleeing the famine in Bethlehem, the patron himself dies in Moab quite unexpectedly. Then his recently married sons also both die prematurely. His now destitute old wife (Naomi) is left bereft and stranded with her young and grief-stricken daughters-in-law. Somehow that tragedy morphs into one of the most beautiful stories of all time. Ruth emerges from the tragic circumstances as a highly favoured matriarch. She was destined to be the grandmother of one of Israel’s greatest Kings (David) and eventually an ancestor of the King of kings (Jesus)! Her wise perception, initiative, respect, diligence and faith make all the difference. May your story too defy every limitation! May you rise above the tragic, troubled or traumatic context you found yourself in. Though the night is long, Jesus’ light shall break through!
Pastor Josh