Ruth: God's Providence

Its been quite some time since I’ve made a blog post. Sorry. I had another little run-in between my neck and a surgeon’s scalpel. I’m doing much better and glad to have life gradually get back to normal. The past few weeks I’ve been preaching on the book of Ruth and this week I emphasized God’s incredible providence in her life. Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi traveled back to Israel after living in the country of Moab during a famine. They were widows and had experienced some of the worst pain this world has to offer. They didn’t know it then, but God’s providence was at work. They couldn’t see God’s hand during the famine, when their husbands died, or when no children were born to Ruth. Trouble seemed to follow Naomi from famine in Israel, to tragedy in Moab, and now back to Israel where she is a poor widow with no means of support. However, from God’s point of view perhaps trouble wasn’t following her, but God was pushing her down a hard road that would lead to blessings later in life. Famine pushed her to Moab where she found Ruth. Death pushed them both back to Israel where they find Boaz, and then God pushed Ruth and Boaz together through poverty. Trouble often pushes us into situations that are difficult and painful, but God’s providence is always there with us. We may not see it yet, but faith tells us it is there. Can you see God’s providence in your life? Honor Him with your thankfulness. Are you blind to his providence? Honor Him with your faith knowing his providence is there and soon to be revealed.