READING: Ruth 4:13-22, 1 Chronicles 2:9-55, 1 Chronicles 4:1-23, 1 Samuel 1:1-8
Naomi had sometime before buried her husband and her two sons. Her descriptions of her life earlier in the book of Ruth were, in fact, painful ones: “the Lord himself has raised his fist against me” (Ruth 1:15); “the Almighty has made life very bitter for me” (Ruth 1:20); “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty . . . the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me” (Ruth 1:21). It’s hard to read these words and not sense her anguish.
In today’s reading, though, God has graciously granted a baby to Boaz and Ruth—and a story that had been about barrenness (Ruth had been married for 10 years prior to the death of her first husband, but with no children) and death was now a story of new life. The tears of a grieving wife and mother had now become the delight of a joy-filled grandmother. Even the women of the town rejoiced because God had now provided someone to renew Naomi’s hope and help care for her as needed. That baby would be the grandfather of David, through whose line Jesus would come.
Death to life. Anguish to joy. Past-tense pain to present-tense renewal. That’s what God does as He works His plan to bring the Messiah to us.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: When was the last time God brought joy into your grief?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, I praise You that You continually work Your plan and accomplish Your will . . . even through sinful people and difficult circumstances.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 1:9-4:11
