This heading brings to mind the story of Ruth and Naomi. (Ruth 1 -4). Naomi was a resident of Bethlehem, also nicknamed the House of Bread, because the inhabitants grew wheat and barley grains used for making bread. Bethlehem was the nation’s main producer of these grains.
Despite their successful enterprise, there came a time of great famine. The abundant supply of grain came to a standstill.
As a result, Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their sons Mahlon and Kilion left Bethlehem in search of greener pastures. This is what we do even today. We imagine that the grass is always greener on the other side. They relocated to Moab. This was a pagan land. As time went by, their sons married pagan women and their lifestyles changed. They were tolerant of and even influenced by some of the pagan practices.Needless to say, everything went downhill from there.
Elimelech suddenly died. Naomi's sorrow did not end there, both sons died soon afterwards. Naomi was left, a bereaved widow in Moab. When she learned that the famine in Bethlehem had ended,she decided to return to her home. Ruth, one of Naomi’s daughters-in-law wished to remain with Naomi, to care for her. They both traveled back to Bethlehem. The other, Orpah, remained with her people.
Through her grief, Naomi couldn't see that God was guiding them to a more perfect fulfillment of His spiritual plan. He had already started setting His plan in motion
In choosing to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem, Ruth began to follow God’s principle of progression. Her love for Naomi and willingness to give up any future plans for herself, and to serve Naomi, was all part of God's plan. She did not consider the risks of being a Moabite woman in a Jewish land. She hoped that all would go well for Naomi. In fact, she believed that it would. Ruth, had as it were,sowed the seed. Will she reap a bountiful harvest?
We know what happened when they arrived in Bethlehem. Naomi met her kinsfolk and introduced Ruth. Imagine the people's surprise when they learned that a Moabite woman, a pagan, had decided to journey to Jerusalem to dwell there with her Jewish mother-in law. This was cause for a scandal. Remember, however, that this is God’s plan. Naomi guided Ruth into prudent interaction with Boaz.
This liaison led to a marriage between Ruth and Boaz, a wealthy landowner of many fields and kin to Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech. Therefore, Ruth became a wealthy and respected woman in Bethlehem, and took care of her mother –in-law, Naomi.
She had followed through on God’s plan. As a reward for her selfless acts, God rewarded her with ‘good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
Besides the material blessings, Ruth, converted to Judaism, and also became an ancestor of Jesus. Her son Obed was the grandfather of King David.
God has a plan for each of His children. Endeavor to live according to His plan. Be ready to listen for His voice and obey His directives, promptly. Avoid anything that would interrupt God’s divine plan for you.
Naomi experienced a physical famine in Bethlehem. However, there is also spiritual famine.
Do not encourage dissension in the ranks,-- avoid quarrels, jealousy, anger, hatred, nagging etc, in your daily life. Do not entertain negativity around you. Opt to make a change in your life and encourage others to aim for a Kingdom Connection. Let God work in and through you, uninterrupted.
Avoid a spiritual famine in your life and aim for a heavenly reward of one hundredfold.
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