Week of 1/6-1/12: Develops - God Gives a Home

Day Two: Ruth 4:14-17 Then the women said to Naomi, “Praise the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name be famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

FOR LAURA, a 16-year-old from Texas, cancer was something God used for good.

Throughout her high school career, clothes were more important than school, shopping took precedence over family, and partying trumped church on weekends. But one day Laura awoke with what felt like an extra bone in her right thigh. After a visit to the doctor, it turned out to be a cancerous tumor. Fortunately, the doctors caught it in time and surgically removed the majority of the cancer. The aftermath of the tumor and surgery left Laura with a limp and a deep anger at God. While in rehab, Laura learned about those who die every day from terminal cancer, and even met some who live in peace despite their circumstances. Slowly, she realized that her life, and ultimately her relationship with God, couldn’t depend on life’s circumstances.

The story of Ruth starts with desperately unpleasant circumstances: famine, death, and despair. But it changed direction due to multiple cases of undeserved kindness: Ruth to Naomi (1:16-17; 2:11-12) and Boaz to Ruth (2:13-14). The main characters were unlikely people (two widows and Boaz, the son of a prostitute), but God showed undeserved kindness to them and blessed them. In today’s Scripture, you will read about their blessings.

Today, count your blessings and choose to live life despite your circumstances. Remember that God loves you—so much so that He provided the ultimate gift of undeserved kindness: He sent Christ to sacrifice His life for you.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Does your relationship with God depend on your life’s circumstances?

▷▷Do you ever judge God in light of your circumstances or the circumstances of the world? Is that fair?

▷▷What lessons has God taught you through seemingly “bad” situations?