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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Ruth - From the Eyes of an Expat - Vrs. 9


"Rest"

Naomi was tired.  Over ten years in a foreign country, her husband and children had died, she had taken care of everyone else during all these transitions and traumas and now she had nothing left to give her two daughter-in-laws as she prepares to return home.  Moving is exhausting.  Moving is traumatic.  Moving from country to country adds one more element to the mix.

"Why should you go with me?"

Sometimes, when we are in the depths of despair, exhausted, and only looking for the human way to approach something, we believe that everyone else is as destitute as we are.  I believe that Naomi felt empathy towards Orpah and Ruth because she knew the pain of loosing a husband.  She knew how her heart had broken in two when the person whom she shared her hopes and dreams with, no longer walked on this earth by her side.  Deep in her soul, she was crying out for rest.  She didn't want the burden of caring for two girls as she made the arduous journey back home.  She didn't want to worry about others as she faced her own unknown.  

"If I said I have hope"

There are times in life when we need the rest that will restore our souls.  We need someone else to come along side us and carry the burden.  We need to be taken care of instead of taking care of everyone else.  

"Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you"

Even though Naomi had lost hope and lost her faith that God would provide rest for her, God was watching out and provided for Naomi in her deepest suffering.  He provided what she was trying to refuse.  He gave her a young woman to hold her hand on the long, dusty road back to Bethlehem.  He gave her a companion so she wouldn't have to make the journey alone.  He gave her a friend so she wouldn't have to face her hometown alone.  He gave her Ruth.

Are you weary?  Do you need rest?  Has God provided an answer for you that you are refusing?  Let God provide.  Take the rest He is offering.  Set aside aside the boxes that you have put everyone else in and let them take care of you.


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