That it May be Well for You
Then Naomi said to her, 'Should I not seek a home for you that it may be well for you?' (Ruth 3:1)
Ruth 1:1-6 and 2:1-3, 18-20; II Sam 23:15; Eph. 6:1-3; I Tim. 5:3-8.
What Is God Saying?
The early chapters of Judges have dark, ominous clouds. They are the prelude to a sorry tale of disobedience and suffering. It tells what can happen when, as the very last verse of the book says in summary, ‘Every man did what was right in his own eyes.’ It is against this background that the story of Ruth takes place. God took an interest in these women who wanted the well-being of a home when others were doing their own thing in their way for their reasons. God was interested in the needs and desires of this humble, but hurting, family. He was interested in the young widow, still just a girl from a foreign country who became the ancestress of King David and thus (on the human side) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The famine which drove Naomi and her sons to Moab was over. Naomi was alone except for her widowed daughters-in-law. Her thoughts turned to home in Bethlehem. Accompanied by Ruth, who chose not to leave Naomi or her God, she went back to her people with the plan and the purpose of finding a home for Ruth where it would be well for her. It would not be well for Naomi unless it was well for Ruth. This is a beautiful and tender story of love in a very dark period of history.
How Does This Apply To Us?
The ancient book of Judges has a modern ring to it. Judges speak to our day and of our day. The beautiful story of Ruth took place in the cresting tide of evil and unrest. In the same way, as Naomi wanted Ruth to have the blessings of home in her turbulent times, so we want a home that will be well for everyone.
Pray With Me
Lord, Your love, received and shared, can turn a house into a home. Naomi said it well, ‘a home for you that it may be well for you.’ Help those who are denied the well-being of a home. Help them to find a home in the family of God. May I not so much seek a home that it may be well for me as I seek to make a home that it may be well for others. For in making a home, I have a home. In seeking the well-being of others, I find the well-being of myself. Above all, Lord of all life, be the Lord of my home life. There can be no well-being even when there is well-meaning if You are not on the throne. Be in my home not as an occasional Guest, but as permanent Host.
In the name of Him who changed the house at Bethany into a home of blessing. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
We should not need much encouragement to pray for the members of their families. Our prayer life can easily be impaled on the pegs of thanksgiving and petition for those who are in our homes or closely related to us. I say impaled, for some of us get no farther than that. Being very familiar with those who live in our home, we must pray for their real needs and not what we think are their real needs. Is living in our homes well for everyone? What about those in our lives who do not have a home as Ruth did not?
