SURPRISED BY GOD

If Naomi had dreamed about returning to her former home rich and successful, entering Bethlehem would have been a nightmare. While living in a foreign land, she had lost her husband and two sons and returned with only her daughter-in-law Ruth and full of sadness. “Do not call me Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter],” she told her former neighbours, “for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (RUTH 1:20).

However, this wasn’t the end of the story. When the down-and-out Naomi saw God at work in Ruth’s life, she said, “The LORD . . . has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead!” (2:20). What appeared to be a dead end had become a doorway for these two women
who had lost so much.

The Old Testament book of Ruth is a brilliant story. The short story is filled with lots of hope and encouragement as “the LORD” is mentioned time after time.

Through Naomi and Ruth, we are reminded that God works in surprising ways to make His love known and to carry out His plans—even during difficult times.

God’s surprises continue, so we can have confidence today. He has not stopped showing His kindness to you and me.

What I’m thankful for . . .

Thank You for always working in my life, God. Help me to keep looking for Your kindness and grace each day. I know that even on my worst days, your goodness can still surprise me.

EVEN WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S
PLAN, WE CAN ALWAYS TRUST IN HIS LOVE.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries