Message from the Monthly Flyer November 2021

Ruth 24 – A glourios ending for Naomi

Ruth 4:14-17 KJV – "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."

Ecclésiastes 7:8a "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; (…)"

Who would have believed it? Who would have imagined that Naomi's adventure would take such a beautiful turn? When Naomi returned to Israel, all her desire was to have a peaceful and tranquil life until the end of her days. She was finally home and she was happy to be back in her homeland. She was far from imagining God's plans for her life and the happiness that awaited her. When she got home, all she was concerned about was a shelter and something to eat for herself and her daughter-in-law Ruth. She had asked to be called Mara because her soul was filled with bitterness after all the suffering she had experienced in the land of Moab. God had answered her prayers and the famine was gone in Bethlehem. She was now confident that she woud not starve physically, but her soul was still hungry. And she was unaware that God also had a plan for the satisfaction of her soul. God not only takes care of our physical needs, he is also and above all concerned with our inner well-being. He is the one who heals our bodies, souls and minds, He restores us entirely for His will is that we prosper in all respects. (3 John 1: 2)

The day Naomi had met Boaz, a glimmer of hope had leaped in her heart and she had continued to intensify her prayers for the miracle to take place between him and Ruth. If only he could agree to use his right of redemption, then she would be fulfilled. The bitterness she had brought back from Moab had started to dissipate slowly over the days. The more events unfolded between Ruth and Boaz, the more the bitterness of pain evaporated to give way to the honey that was assured with a better tomorrow. Finally, her expectation and hopes had been fulfilled. On this beautiful wedding day between Ruth and Boaz, Naomi had put on her finest clothes. She never imagined that joy could fill her heart so much again. This beautiful marriage was like a healing balm on her soul. It was healing the sorrows of the past and presenting the future in a better light. As the word of God so rightly says in Psalm 30: 5, "(...) Sorrow may endure in the night but joy comes in the morning."

The day had just dawned for Naomi. The women who had been amazed by the level of her distress and pitiful condition upon her return to Bethlehem could now testify of the grace of God that rested on her life. Now they could share her joy and could only bless the God of Israel because He had not forsaken her. God had just blessed her by granting her a grandson whose name would be famous in Israel. No, her name was not and never would be Mara. Despite all that she had experienced as painful experiences, God brought out the beauty, the joy and the glory. He changed her story and made her put on the garment of joy (Isaiah 61: 3). With God it's not over until He says His last word. He has plans of happiness, success, joy, achievement and victory for His children. No matter how long and how deep the night may be, the morning always comes with our God. He is the Master of times and circumstances and He takes pleasure in blessing His children. In the face of difficulties, He encourages us to never give up and to keep the faith, because He always acts and He always intervenes at the right time. What a glorious God we serve! md