“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? 12 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? 13 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.” 14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. 15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” 16 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. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”” Ruth 1:11-17 NLT
Father God,
We are reminded that till Jesus comes again we will have trouble, sorrow, grief and suffering. Naomi suffered terrible grief, for her husband and sons and the hope of grandchildren. She suffered the loss of income and then where she lived there was famine. And she was a foreigner there without family. We are not immune from pain but we have You, Jesus.
You, God were with Naomi. Ruth saw that there was something worth sticking with in Naomi. Naomi’s witness of God’s care had been seen in her life and so Ruth decided to follow this God of Naomi’s too! Oh that my life would enable others to see your faithfulness Lord. Today we need You Lord to help us see how to witness by our lives and our testimony that You are the One God to follow and trust in and get to know. We do not want to appear religious and holier than thou and yet we do want to show Jesus in our lives.
Help us to shine Your light through us. Holy Spirit inspire us so we can speak Your truth with love and be heard. Help us to know when to help and where we can be Your hands and feet.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 13th April 2025
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today
Repeat twice . . .
Lyrics: Kelly Faye Willard