The Hand Of The Lord – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Ruth 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Revelation 7 – 9Proverbs 28Psalms 136 – 140)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0328 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:1-13)

Good morning. Naomi was at quite a low point in her life. Her husband died, then her two sons died. All she had left were her two daughter-in-laws. And she told her daughters. “…it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.”

When things go wrong, do you blame God? I must have sinned for this to happen to me. Woe is me for the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. But we forget…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

And that…

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

So what happened with Naomi? God had to turn her around and get her out of Moab. He needed her back home. She didn’t leave Moab when her husband died. When her two sons died, she left Moab. There was a divine appointment waiting in Bethlehemjudah. And Ruth stayed with her.

Did you know your face changes when your countenance drops, when you’re depressed?

“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:19-21)

The people had to ask if this was Naomi. And Naomi said to call her Mara. Mara means bitter. Naomi was bitter, but she was home, and Ruth was with her. But it was all part of God’s plan. And to make a long story short…

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 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. Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” (Ruth 4:13-22)

It took some sorrow to get Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehemjudah, but Ruth had to get there to meet and marry Boaz, so they could have a child, and Ruth would be the great grandmother of king David.

Are you going through something bad? Don’t blame God. Here are three verses to remember…

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I’m sorry, but in this world ye SHALL have tribulation. I don’t care what the prosperity preachers tell you, believe the Bible. Tribulation is going to come. Bad things happen to good people and bad people. Maybe God is just trying to turn you in the right direction like Naomi. Just remember our second verse also…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

That’s ALL things: the good and the bad. Bad things happen in life. But what we perceive as bad, God may be using that for His good, and our good. Before you become bitter, and blame God, go to Him with your problem. “Lord, things look pretty bleak. I don’t know why I’m going through this, but You do. Help me to understand. Show me what to do.” And that leads us to the third verses…

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trials and tribulations should not separate you from God, they should draw you closer. When bad things happen, don’t get bitter; run to God where all things work for good.

Peace!


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C Stahl
C Stahl
4 years ago

That just might be the reason why we are having this virus epidemic, to change our thoughts back on God. Amen.

Susan Barnes
Susan Barnes
3 years ago

I’m just now reading this because I’m behind. I guess the Lord knew I would need this today It’s exactly what I needed to hear

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