Ruth 1:6-11 “ Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?”

Naomi had heard that the God of Israel had visited her people in Bethlehem and she had decided to go back home. Her two daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah decided to go with her. Naomi and her two daughters-in-law certainly had a very close and intimate relationship because from the very start they did not want to be separated from their mother-in-law. They expressed the desire to return with her to Bethlehem because they wanted to remain faithful to the bound of love and commitment that had kept them in that family even till after the death of their dear husbands. So, they arranged their stuff and made some provisions for the trip, then three widows started on their way from Moab to Bethlehem.

Naomi's decision to return to Bethlehem was a very bold one. It was an act of great faith because it was a very long way to go from Moab to Bethlehem. There could be dangers, robbers and other difficulties along the way. But Naomi was determined to face that Goliath with boldness and confidence. She was determined to be repositioned in the right place, even if it meant going the whole way alone. During these 10 years of stay in Moab she had had enough time to speak to her God and to regain a stronger faith after the death of her husband and her two sons. She understood that even if God's blessings should tarry, we should just continue to do the right thing and never take a step without asking God. We should always seek for the Provider who can bless us with every needed provision, rather than running after the provision that will leave us frustrated at the end. Now that God had blessed her native country and sent back rain so that there was plenty of food for everyone, she developed the conviction that even if she had to die, it will not be in this foreign land of idol worshippers. She wanted to be in the right place under God's shelter even if it meant travelling for days by foot or on the back of a donkey. The level of pain in her soul had developed such a power of determination that no amount of reasoning could now stop her from going back to where she belonged.

Naomi never asked her daughters-in-law if it was a good idea for her to go back to Bethlehem. She did not ask for their opinion. She just informed them of her decision, thus placing them in front of a hard decision they had to make for themselves: to remain in Moab or to go to Bethlehem with Naomi. Maybe the younger widows tried to discourage Naomi: "Look, you are too old to engage in such a long journey. Please stay here with us and we promise to take good care of you till death does us part.” But Naomi was determined. No devil could stop her. She was determined to die trying if needed. Apostle Paul said that he never consulted blood and flesh when the call to serve Jesus came (Galatians 1: 15-17). He made up his mind to obey God's call and he became the greatest writer of the New Testament. In this generation God is looking for people who can connect with Him and move according to His divine guiding. He is looking for men and women who will not be afraid of the opposition, critic and difficulties. He is looking for men and women who will stand for the truth in a world where wrong is right and right is wrong. Will you be that man? Will you be that woman who will make the difference and stick out from the crowd? God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is ready to bless and reward all those who can pause for a while, rethink about what they are doing, turn away from evil, accept the truth and follow the right path that leads to a life of fulfilment and joy.

There are times in our lives where we have to take decisions that will forever change the course of our destiny. A time where we must take decisions that the majority of people, our loved ones or those around us who always think they know better will not agree with. But if God is for us, who can be against us? As we move, act and live according to His divine instructions and leading, failure will never be our portion and success will locate us. God put such a strong conviction in Naomi's heart to go back to Bethlehem. At her old age we can imagine that her body was weak. As we all know, old people tend to be sick. But she did not care if she had back pains. She was leaving for Bethlehem. She did not care if she had arthritis. She was going back to her father's land. She did not care if she had to go all alone. Her faith was so much strengthened that she knew that even if she had to return alone, she would not be alone on the way. Her heavenly Father and a myriad of Angel's would be with her on the way. What a blessing to know that our God is with us. He stands for us. He fights for us and He will never abandon us. That's why Naomi insisted that her daughters-in-law would go back each to their mother's house to secure their own future, at least to get married again and have children that they could raise in a well-known and sure environment. She never begged her daughters-in-law to follow her as if she was afraid of anything. But she was not bragging either or boasting like "You know I don't need you people, I will go alone." No. As she asked Ruth and Orpah to return in their respective family, she was expressing a sincere concern. She wanted them to be happy and enjoy their lives in a new home. But Naomi had reached a point where she did not care if she had to travel alone. She was confident that she was doing the right thing and all would be well with her. She told God that if He could just give her another chance, she would make it right this time. She was so sorry about her past mistake of leaving Bethlehem ten years ago. And the God of mercy that she served gave her another chance. He will give you another chance today if you just ask Him in all humility. "Father I messed up. Please give me another chance today". God is faithful and He will lift you up from where you fell, cleanse you from all unrighteousness and make you whole again. Yes, we serve the God who is more than able. To Him alone be the glory, and the honour and the power now and forever more. Amen! md