~ Without Asking ~

[Lani]

Ruth 1:1-18

1 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.
2 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.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 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.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 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?
12 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;
13 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.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.





Ruth said to Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go.” Ruth 1:16 (TEV)




On a brisk November morning at a tiny hospital, my mother lay in the intensive care unit, gravely ill. A doctor sate down with my infant son and me in a waiting room. He fumbled with his pen as he cleared his throat. Then he explained that my mom was “a very sick lady” and that I shouldn't expect her to survive.

After he left, I didn't move. I just kept holding my son close and listening to the sounds outside the door. I heard the elevator doors opening and closing around the corner. I heard people talking and laughing and scurrying from one place to another. It was just another busy day for many other people.

Couldn't everyone see that the entire world had just stopped? My mother was dying!

Then my phone rant; it was my friend Amy. I told her where I was and what was happening. Within two hours she was sitting next to me. She had packed up her baby daughter and headed up the freeway immediately. She didn't ask. She just came.

Amy's act reminded me of the Bible story about Ruth's bond with Naomi. When Naomi told Ruth to go back to her family, Ruth insisted on remaining at Naomi's side. We may be puzzled by Ruth's actions until we think about those dear to us who have not let us journey alone either.


Prayer: Thank you, God, for companions who journey with us on difficult roads. Amen.


Prayer Focus of Day: My Close Friends



Thought for the Day: We can be God's presence to those facing crisis.



Story shared by: R. Hetland (CO)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/17/11