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A Courageous Woman
by Alex Person
I have always been amazed and astonished at the Biblical character Ruth, since my early days in Sunday School. I often wondered as a youngster how someone could leave her mom and dad, then live in a foreign land? Now, I'm older and the ramifications of her decision are even more dramatic for a woman during this time frame in history.
If you recall, Ruth's husband and both her father-in-law and brother-in-law died. She, her sister-in-law (Orpah) and her mother-in-law Naomi were the sole survivors of this tiny little family unit. Ruth received the blessings of Naomi to remain in Moab or return home. Orpah accepted the invitation and returned to her family. However, Ruth was courageous and insisted upon remaining with Naomi, perhaps for her safety and the assurance that they would be together. With all of the things we have heard about in-laws these days, this is truly a God honoring scene in our Scriptures.
Ruth said to Naomi, "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people" (Ruth 1:16). The women left Moab together and made their way to Bethlehem. There, they bore each other's burdens and grief because both had lost spouses.
God provided a welcome opportunity for Ruth (and Naomi) by placing Naomi's relative, Boaz in their path. Ruth found favor with Boaz, even though she was in a foreign country. Immediately, he sensed the courage and the character of this woman and eventually fell in love with her. Ruth became the wife of this gentleman and ultimately the ancestor of Jesus because of her courage in the face of poverty and uncertainty.
(Alex Person is part of the Pastoral Ministries management team at Focus on the Family)
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Season of Trust
by Kim Flynn
Spring is here and summer will be upon us before you know it. The flowers are blooming and the grass is getting taller — almost time for it to be mowed. It is amazing how fast it grows. It is a good reflection of how fast time goes.
As time goes by, it reminds us of how quickly things can shift and change in our world. Our financial future, hopes and dreams can be swept away by doubts in the markets. Yet, our hope is in the Lord. Our security does not come from financial prosperity. Often we want fast solutions and quick fixes. Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in horses and some in chariots." Fast and quick.
We should recognize that this can be the desire to get what we want now in this society of instant gratification and credit. But keep reading in Psalms. The second part of this verse says, "But we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Remember, trust, depend on, and lean on. Seek his face and trust in Him, not in man.
When we trust in someone or something other than God, we can be easily disappointed or led astray. Psalm 20:8 says, "They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright." Oh, what joy we have in knowing this is our future! This is a message to pass on that brings a sense of stability to the life of a Christian. Pressing on through tough times and standing firm, knowing that the Lord will provide, is our encouragement. Let us continue on as in Psalm 20:9, "Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call."
(Kim Flynn is part of the Pastoral Ministries team at Focus on the Family. This article was inspired by devotions given by Alex Person.)
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