“… she had heard in the fields of Moab that God had visited his people and given them food.” – Ruth 1:6b 

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Naomi is in a pretty bad place. Being nameless, as she is in verse 5, is a graphic picture of her social and economic status. No male in the house means no supper on the table. Is there any hope for her? Yes! While there is life, redemption remains possible. 

Redemption though, is never a human work. It is always and only ever a divine work. That’s really clear in today’s verse. “God had visited his people and given them food.” That’s exactly in line with God’s promises in Deuteronomy 28. It’s amazing! 

What’s more, God sees to it that the nameless woman hears about Him visiting His people. That sets her on the path of return. Return! That’s a key word in this chapter. 

Oh, it wasn’t an overnight process. Redemption and returning from sin is often messy. This was the case for Naomi as this chapter makes clear. But make no mistake, God is at work. He saw to it that Naomi heard that He had visited His people. But even more importantly, God sovereignly ensured that she then responded to that little bit of news she had picked up in the fields of Moab. 

Maybe you have someone in your life who appears to have reached rock bottom. Maybe you are personally there. Remember though, redemption and return is always possible. Always! And it starts with hearing what God has to say. Are you doing that? Do you need to encourage a loved one to do that?

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that God breaks down any resistance in your heart, or the heart of a loved one, to hear what He has to say.

Since 2019, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen has served the Attercliffe Canadian Reformed Church near Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He, his wife, children and grandchildren are deeply grateful for the blessing of daily living under the shelter of God’s wings. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.