The Ashes of Suffering

By Don Ruhl

According to Ruth 1.2–5, Elimelech and Naomi, along with their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, left the land of Israel because of a famine (v. 6 by implication), and dwelt in Moab. That only began the suffering. In Moab, all three men died, leaving Naomi without husband or children. The family lived in Moab about ten years.

Yet, that just begins the story. Naomi acquired two wonderful daughters-in-law and the Bible focuses upon Ruth. Naomi lost so much, but she gained more than she could ever have imagined in Ruth. We gain through Ruth also, because her great-grandson was David, and through David God gave us the Christ!

What have you suffered in this life? Do not despair, for who knows what the Lord has in store for you or your family.

Seeking Signs

By Don Ruhl

The Jews wanted one sign after another, never content with what they had seen. Therefore, Jesus said, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet” (Luke 11.29).

They did not unite what they heard with what they saw. Therefore, they rejected Jesus and demanded His crucifixion.

Let us learn from that not to seek the spectacular, but to content ourselves with what we hear in the word of God.