Ruth Rocks

The story of Ruth is a story for people like us.  It acknowledges suffering and loss are part of ordinary lives, and it demonstrates the relentless love of a sovereign God who can redeem circumstances for each of us who suffers, and make it count for eternity.    

Three reasons Ruth rocks: 

Ruth is a story for regular folks – folks like us.

Our typical view of a Bible story is that one that is so far removed from our own lives that we think, “Where’s the connection?”  Bible stories seem to focus on kings and prophets, parting seas and miraculous births.  Biblical narrative is often characterized by the extraordinary and miraculous.  My life isn’t.  How about yours? 

           

Ruth is a story for the rest of us.  There are no signs and wonders.  There are no seas parting, no burning bushes, no angelic visitors.  The main characters are two women, Naomi and Ruth, both at the lower end of the tax bracket.  We get a single snapshot into the lives of these widows, and the subtle, but no less real, hand of Almighty God providing, redeeming, restoring, healing bitterness and ultimately bringing regular folks into the Divine Plan. 

You don’t need to see the hand of God in your life to know it’s there. 

           

Ruth is a romance. 

‘Nuff said.  Enterprising, courageous women, damsels in distress, gallant men, steamy moments, a thickening plot, and a happy ending.  What more can we possibly want? 

Ruth can help us recognize that the 'reason' we suffer usually isn't evident until much later.  

How often do you go through some trial and a well-meaning but otherwise clueless friend suggests the “Big Reason” why this unhappy circumstance has befallen you.  We do it to ourselves.  We encounter some tragedy and we ask God why?  Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world.  We grasp for meaning. 

The story of Ruth begins with the mother-in-law: Naomi.  Naomi experiences loss after loss:  she loses her husband; she loses a son; she loses her other son, and all while far removed from the support network of her extended family in a foreign country.   

Naomi will live to see a reversal in her fortunes, but she will never know how truly glorious the ultimate outcome will be.  The Bible promises us that God can use the worst of human experiences for good in the lives of his children, but it is usually not something we’ll get all the answers to.  That’s where eternity comes in.  That’s where faith and hope come in. 

The story of Ruth shows us that God is able to bring good – and even glory – to the most ordinary people and through the worst of circumstances.  This includes you. 

Suffering and loss are part of living in a fallen world.  Recognize that God stays faithful despite what you’re going through.  There’s hope.   You see, it’s not a question of whether heartbreak will come, but when.  The question is, can you stay open, to allow God to work it for good in your life?   

Sooner or later each one of us will be overwhelmed by our circumstances.  Ultimately, however, we can find that the same Almighty Lord who demonstrates his faithfulness to Naomi shows his steadfast love to each one of us.  Stay tuned.