Today's reading

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” –Ruth 1:16 NLT

September 7, 2021

Glean, Sow, and Reap—Part 1

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” –Ruth 1:16 NLT

The book of Ruth is a story about two widows, Naomi and Ruth, and a wealthy man named Boaz. What bonded these two grieving widows together? A combination of Naomi’s faith and Ruth’s loyalty toward Naomi caused them to stick together. No matter how bleak things appeared for Ruth and Naomi, God wasn’t done with them. Beyond their tears of grief and uncertainty, God had plans they could not see nor envision. As they returned to Naomi’s homeland, God unfolded His plan for their future, one step at a time. Perhaps God is using Naomi and Ruth’s lives to reveal His love and loyalty to you. Are you a widow who can’t imagine going forward in life with the grief mounting up inside of you?Are you a parent who recently lost a child? Are you going through a rough divorce, and you don’t understand why it occurred or how things will turn out? Don’t abandon your faith in God. Regardless of your feelings, know that God is by your side, just like Ruth remained by Naomi’s side. Stay close to God and trust that His plan and purpose for your life will prevail. Like Naomi and Ruth, who left Moab to receive God’s blessings and eventually became part of His greater plan, take whatever steps God prompts you to make in order to go forward.

prayer focuses

Thank God for His loyalty and devotion to you regardless of what you’re facing or how you are feeling.

As you read Ruth chapter 1, ask God to reveal His personal message to you.

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about the

Author

Barbara Alpert

Barbara was a wife, mother, and grandma who sought to love the LORD with all her heart, soul & strength. She has authored several books for adults and children. She has enjoyed mentoring other writers and seeing them turn their manuscripts into published masterpieces for God's glory. She believed that every person has a God-story within them to be told and shared. Barbara passed away peacefully in November 2023, but Bayside continues to remember and honor her legacy by sharing devotionals written by her in order to inspire and encourage others.