READING: Ruth 1:1-4:12
God changes hearts.
Somehow, He works within people to shift their allegiances from false gods to Himself, to turn them from rebellion to obedience, to direct them from self to others. I’ve seen Him do that so many times over the years and across the globe that all I can do in stand in wonder at His marvelous grace and transforming power.
In today’s reading, we read the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who was likely raised in a home that worshipped false gods—but whose life was apparently transformed when she heard about the God of the Israelites. She had married into the family of Elimilech and Naomi of Bethlehem, but her father-in-law and husband had died. Her mother-in-law urged her to return to her own family, but her response was clear: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Scholars debate whether Ruth was fully converted at that point in the story, but we can’t miss her shift to the God of Israel. Her future must have seemed dim (at least, according to Naomi’s conclusions of their situation), but still she would follow God. Indeed, God would give her a husband, and her name would be in the genealogy of Jesus years later (Matt 1:5). God is good!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Where have you seen God work through difficult circumstances in your life?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, help me to trust You however and wherever You lead.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ruth 4:13-22, 1 Chronicles 2:9-55, 1 Chronicles 4:1-23, 1 Samuel 1:1-8
