The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Six

 "Saying Goodbye"

Ruth 1:11-14 (NLT) But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.”

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.

Saying good-bye to someone you care deeply for is one of the hardest things to do. It’s especially hard when you either know you won’t see them again in this lifetime or you don’t know when you will see them again. Either way saying good-bye isn’t easy.

Today we are going to look at a very difficult good-bye. Again we return to Moab and listen to the conversation between the tattered remains of a family ~ Naomi and her daughters-in-law ~ Orpah and Ruth.

You can almost hear the cries. Loving someone like these three women loved one another creates a great bond. Through life, love and loss, these women united. Naomi was giving these women a way out. She knew that she had nothing to offer them. She had no more sons and she had no money. All she had was the road back to her own people to walk on.

Orpah made the decision to leave to return to her family. She wasn’t abandoning Naomi and Ruth; she was making a choice to return to the life she had always known. Who knows the reasoning behind her decision? We can’t allow ourselves to judge her. Obviously her choice to go back wasn’t an easy one. Verse 14 says, “Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye.”

The Hebrew defines this relationship as one of deep respect and affection. Orpah wasn’t leaving because she wasn’t close to Naomi. In fact, she loved her dearly. Her heart must have broken in two, yet she knew that turning back was the path she must take.

In life, our paths cross, travel together and part company. Some relationships go on together for many years. Others only meet briefly. Sometimes its difficult to let go. Other times its time to move on and both parties know it. Saying "good-bye" is part of life.

I know that you've experienced "good-bye,"to what extent of grief I don't know, but I do know that every life has to say "good-bye." What comes to your mind?

Ruth made the decision to stay with Naomi. In fact the Bible says, she “embraced her and held on.” The New International Version of the Bible says, “She clung to her.” Naomi tried to get Ruth to return with Orpah but Ruth was determined to follow her back to Bethlehem.

I can just see how as Ruth was holding on to Naomi the older woman was trying to gently peel her hands away. Ruth didn’t want to lose Naomi. She was precious to her. I can only imagine the pain and fear that Ruth and Naomi were experiencing. The love between them was great.

Sometimes we “cling to” other things. We can cling to a memory. Maybe a past relationship, that has long since ended, but you still wish you were in. Or maybe you “cling to” a substance that you just know you can’t live without. How about an attitude? Letting go of a bad attitude can be really painful.

What attitudes, habits, people...are you holding on to that you know you need to say good-bye to? God has told you that they are holding you back from His will and yet you hang on to them as if they were essential to your very breath. Can you let go? Are you willing?

Deuteronomy 10:20 (NLY) You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone.

Cling to Him! Hold fast to Jesus. Grab on and don’t let go. Make the choice to follow Him to where He promises His best for you. Ruth gives us an example of refusing to let go of someone dear to her. Let’s take this same devotion and hold on to Jesus.

The distractions of this life will pull our attention away from the One who loves us most. Sometimes we don’t know we are being distracted. Things that appear good or benign can and do draw our eyes away from what He intends for us. And what He intends for us is only for our good and to His honor.

I often lie in bed and think about my day. Sometimes it’s hard to go to sleep because my mind won’t shut off. The only thing that calms me down is laying all my thoughts down before Him and admit that no matter what I plan, His plan is better.

The battle for our minds and hearts is constant. The evil one wants nothing more than for our plans to frustrate and confuse us. He wants to keep you and me from holding fast to Jesus because He knows that Christ’s plans will succeed.

Don't be afraid to say good-bye to the things and people God has told you to say good-by to. Don't "cling to" them. God does have a plan and purpose for those who decide to follow Him. Remember that He sees the complete picture. We are only seeing underneath the threads.

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

Will you trust that Jesus does know best? He wants to show you His wonderful plans. There is no confusion when you and I hold tight to Him. Let’s “cling to” Him and know that what comes our way is from the hand of God.