The Feed Mill

Today’s Bible Reading: Ruth 1-4

Today’s Devotional: Ruth 1

Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons were forced by famine to sojourn to Moab, Elimelech along with their two sons die there,  who having married both each women of Moab having no children. Naomi having lost all that she had come to Moab with prepares to return now to Israel and she seeks to dissuade her two daughter in laws from returning with her and instead to turn back to Moab to look for husbands. They both grieved the thought of leaving their mother in law; Orpah turns back, but Ruth clings to Naomi and refuses to leave her side. The two then arrive at Bethlehem and the whole city was excited because of them. However Naomi saw only the bitterness of what she had lost.

Naomi refused to look and see what she had gained and rejoice in that. The whole city would have realized they had lost Elimelech and their two sons, but instead of focusing on what they had lost the city focused on what was ahead of them. They have gained back Naomi and a new face, Ruth. No doubt Naomi was a woman of great love, both her daughter in laws and the city of Bethlehem loved her very much.

Paul in his letter to the Philippians, tells them there are a few things which will help us in moving forward and expectant of what the Lord still wants to do. Philippians 2:12-26, first we must accept that everything happens for a reason and second that we always have something to rejoice in. And so we continue moving forward, it’s better that we do all of this focusing on what really matters, Christ, and we do this together with others who have that same desire, Philippians 2:27-30. Moving forward not in what has happened but in what Christ has and still desires to do through the situation or circumstances we may find ourselves in.