Daily devotional

July 5 - Go back

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, …” - Ruth 1:6a Scripture reading: Ruth 1:6-14 Naomi is returning home but not on her own. On that dusty road between Moab and the Promised Land she has the company of her two daughters-in-law. But she doesn’t think that it’s a good idea for them to participate in her return. So, she tries to send them back. Return them to Moab. Interestingly she uses covenantal language in attempting to do so. Verse 8 states, “May the LORD deal kindly with you…” Verse 9 “The LORD grant that you may find rest…” She uses the covenant name of God, Yahweh, and covenantal terms like “kindly” and “rest.” We can’t know exactly where her heart is at, but we can observe God’s amazing work. Despite her time in Moab, she still knows this: it’s God and God alone who can bless. Even if she doesn’t feel God’s kindness and rest herself right now, she still knows that they are important. She should know, though, that her daughters-in-law won’t find that rest back in sinful Moab At this point Orpah decides to return, and with that decision walks off the pages of the Bible, but not the other daughter-in-law. Verse 14 says, “but Ruth clung to her.” It’s amazing. The gospel is shining through. However you feel about the covenant LORD, don’t ever urge someone else to stay away. Don’t let your bitterness, yes even bitterness towards God, turn others away from Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to make your life a positive witness to His covenant kindness and love, so that others might cling to you and ultimately to our God.

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.