The Whatever Down the Road

O. T. #558  "The Whatever Down the Road"
July 15 & 16, 2015
Ruth 1-Part 3
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.  Ruth 1:8

LET IT GLOW

*Sorry ya'll, I thought I had posted yesterday's, but actually did not finish it.

I wonder just how many decisions each of us make in a day's time. It starts with getting out of bed, which can be a conscious decision and not an automatic one. Where is our road of faith leading today, Lord? Come talk with me along the way. I need your counseling, listening ear, an understanding nod, and loving arms around me today before I hit the road. (And a push out the door.)Then I'll be ready to face the whatever down the road. Naomi and her two in laws did not know what was down the road, either. Shall we join them along the way, listening to their conversation?

Naomi was into her In-laws-Turn Back Campaign when one out of the two daughter in laws, Orpah, turned back to Moab and went home. Was Naomi trying to cover up the fact that her sons had married Moabites (disobedience to God's commands for Israel). If the gals returned home, maybe no one would find out.

However, the other one, Ruth, did not follow suit. Even after Naomi's spill about if she married tonight and birthed sons, the gals would have to wait for them to grow  up. Poor Naomi, she not only had her husband died while they lived in Moab, but her two sons died also.

Do you feel her pain as a wife and mother? Who doesn't want to reach out and give Naomi a big sister hug? Console her, encourage her, tell her to hang in there, get going because hope and joy are waiting for her at the end of this rough road. We know what happens in time after the two motherless widows settle in at Bethlehem, but they don't.
Neither do we know what's around the next corner or bend on the road of our life's journey. Are we trusting God and striving to follow Him? Is He walking beside us?


LET IT GROW

Did you notice what Naomi said in the last part of verse 13-the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

David Guzik says:

• Naomi wasn't accusing God of doing something wrong against her. She acknowledged His total control over all circumstances. It was actually an expression of trust in Him.
• If Naomi was bitter or angry against God, she probably would have gone another way-further from the God of Israel, rather than back to Him. Instead, she showed that she trusted the sovereignty of God, and knew that despite her personal calamities, He is a good God who blesses.
• What Naomi could not see is that the hand of the Lord would go out for her shortly. There is never reason for us to despair if we believe the hand of the Lord has gone out against me. If we will return to Him, His hand will go out for us again! Naomi had no idea-not the slightest-of how greatly God was going to bless her in a short time.
• Naomi believed she had caused each calamity by her disobedience. Yet she still honored and loved the LORD.

Do we realize that God allows us to make our own decisions, even if it is without consulting Him or in disobedience? Are we willing to suffer the consequences of doing such? He can work things out for our good and His glory.

No matter how difficult the situation may be, if we surrender to the Lord and obey Him, He will see us through.
No person is so far outside the reach of God's grace that he or she cannot be saved. Ruth had everything against her, but the Lord saved her! (Wiersbe)

Will we surrender today and obey, or will we go our way?

LET IT GO

Step out on that road of life with Jesus.

Walk and talk with Him along the way today.

Seek His will in my decisions.

Bring others along this road that leads to heaven.

Thank You Jesus that Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.