Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

Ruth 1:6-18

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 steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.



When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:18(NIV)



“You don’t need to help me. I can do it. You have more important things to do,” said an 80-year-old neighbor when I tried to help pick up sticks in her yard. I heard the same message from a friend with emphysema as he tried to align rocks in a ditch running along the side of his yard. Offers to help are often met with resistance.

We see the same behavior in biblical characters. For example, at first Naomi resisted the offers of her two daughters-in-law to stay with her. Why should these young women be burdened with caring for me? She probably reasoned. They have their whole lives ahead of them. With regret, Orpah departed. However, when Ruth showed that she was determined to stay, Naomi relented.

As I get older, I recognize that I cannot do as much as I did in my youth. Pride is a natural barrier to accepting the help of others. Yet pride of this kind often separates us from multiple blessings. When we allow others to help, we not only receive something we need but also strengthen our relationship with the helper. In addition, we will see that someone cares enough to give us some of their time.



Prayer: Guiding Spirit, teach us to receive help graciously. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Those who won’t accept help

Thought for the Day: Look for God in the acts of others.

Story shared by: P. Meier (KY)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/30/11