Naomi's Experience with Child Loss - Part 2

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Devotion: Naomi's Experience with Child Loss - Part 2

As Naomi grieved the loss of her husband and two sons, she urged her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to leave her and find new husbands. Reluctantly, Orpah said goodbye, but Ruth was determined to stay by Naomi’s side. Ruth and Naomi traveled to Bethlehem, where Ruth eventually married their next of kin, Boaz. This marriage was significant for many reasons, but, most importantly, it meant that Naomi’s line would be carried on, leaving her empty no more. Let’s read Ruth 4:13-16:


“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: ‘Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.’ Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son.’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

Through the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, Naomi now had a grandchild and was a direct ancestor to our Savior! What amazing blessings! In Naomi’s grief, it had been hard for her to imagine the greater purpose for her suffering. She felt empty and afflicted. In our grief, it’s difficult to imagine God’s greater purpose in allowing that suffering to enter our lives. We feel empty and afflicted. When those feelings strike, let us remember that Naomi’s story didn’t end there. God had greater blessings in mind for her. Your story doesn’t end there, either. God has greater blessings in mind for you as well, not the least of which is the mansion prepared for you in heaven through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, like Naomi, I can’t always see your greater purpose for my suffering. Lead me to trust in you, confident that I will be with you one day in the land of the living. Amen.