Sad Journey Home

Sad Journey Home. Driven from their homeland by famine, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons traveled to the land of Moab. Ten years later, Naomi found herself bereft of husband and sons with only two daughters-in-law. Hearing that the famine had ended in the land of Judah, she determined to return to her people.

6 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 that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each to her mother's house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband."

Ruth 1:6-9, NKJV

Sad Journey Home

Driven from their homeland by famine, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons traveled to the land of Moab. Ten years later, Naomi found herself bereft of husband and sons with only two daughters-in-law. Hearing that the famine had ended in the land of Judah, she determined to return to her people.

Having no promise of a prosperous life for her daughters-in-law, she urged the two women to return to their mothers' houses. Her prayers were that each would find a happy home in the houses of husbands whom God would provide for them.

Proverbs 16:9 tells us that, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps”. (NKJV) Such was the case in the life of Naomi. Having no family in the land of Moab, she determined to return to her homeland where she would find solace among family and friends. Knowing that her daughters-in-law would be considered foreigners, she urged them to remain in the land of Moab.

How often do we find ourselves at a crossroad in life? Making what we believe to be a good decision, we set our hearts in a new direction and pray that God would guide our steps. Naomi had no idea of the plans of God for her. Returning in the bitterness of spirit, she could not imagine the blessings that awaited her in the land of Judah.

We have a saying, "hindsight is always 20/20." How true it is! When we look back upon our lives, we can see both good and bad decisions that we have made. Is it possible for us, as believers, to circumvent the plans of the Lord? In others words, can we so mess up our lives that it is impossible for God to bless us?

We serve an amazing God! God guides and directs us in such a way that even when we do not necessarily make the best choices, He is directing our way. Though our heart directs our ways, God directs our steps.

As we consider our lives, may we live this day for the honor and glory of God. May we take encouragement in the knowledge that God is directing our steps. Though the future is uncertain to us, it is not uncertain in the eyes of God. Let us seek His guidance through our study of His Word and in our times of prayer and praise to Him.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD's counsel—that will stand." Let us, by the grace of God, follow the Lord's counsel, knowing that His Word is true and faithful. We can rest in His Word and take confidence that He is guiding and directing our steps.

Yes, Naomi truly had a sad journey home, but we will see, as we continue through the book of Ruth, that God had some very rich blessings in store for her!

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