I have personally never practiced tree grafting. I did a quick online search to better understand the process, where I learned a few things. Although the process is not very labor intensive, it requires a lot of precision and time before there is any success. Those branches tend to be very easily torn away from the root when disruption occurs, or just reject the graft and die out. Grafting is known in many circles of horticulture as a science and an art.
When considering this metaphor, it highlights to me the real validity to Paul’s warning to us Gentiles in verse 20. We have been grafted into an amazing promise, but we aren’t naturally connected to the root. This should cause us to tremble! Indeed, we know nothing can separate us from the love of God, but we also know our own rejection of the root will certainly cause us to lose our life source. We need to take a moment to understand that God’s kindness will continue, provided we continue in His kindness (v. 22).
What would it look like to reject the root we have been grafted into? It could be rejecting the truth of Jesus Christ, by denying him as the Messiah. It could look like ignoring the expectations we have for humbling ourselves, or not confessing and turning away from sin. It could also look like attempting to keep ourselves connected by our own hand, thinking we can create our own life source out of “doing good”, ultimately rejecting grace (v.6). David writes with similar imagery in Psalm 52:3-7, describing the man who trusted himself rather than making God his stronghold, and as a result, was uprooted! In all of these things, our own actions are the common denominator. No, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. And yet, we must cling to the life-giving root in order to be saved.
More than that, we should be rooting for others (pun only slightly intended) to also cling to the same source of life we are! Our God has the desire to graft ALL in – the root is not going anywhere, and all are welcome, but they must accept the source.
I learned something else in my searches on tree grafting… a failed graft can be redone until it’s completely dead. It may take extra time and attention, some readjusting, pruning, and reconnecting, but it can be done and still become a successful branch that bears fruit! Failures in our faith walk can often be corrected, and we have an incredibly patient and merciful God who loves to give second (and third, or fourth) chances. To Him be the glory forever!
Reflection Questions
Have you had moments where you have experienced being “re-grafted” back to the root? How have those experiences shaped and changed how you grow today?
Why do you think some people may reject the “root”? What way could you share the gospel with them that would be more impactful?
Prayer:
Dear God, I praise You for the life You give and for Your wisdom and knowledge which are so far beyond my own. Help me not be blind to You, Your purpose, Your kindness, as well as Your severity. Help me see Your ways and walk in them always, guiding others also to come to You to be miraculously grafted into Your life-giving way through Your Son.
An Italian Proverb states, “Hope is the last thing ever lost.”
As long as there is hope, we can muster up the strength to endure. But the loss of hope is perhaps the deadliest possible wound to our soul.
Our New Testament scripture says that “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…”
Even though it seemed impossible and it didn’t make sense, “…yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
This word for hope, elpis in Greek, isn’t a superficial or flippant word like we might tease, “I hope a money tree starts growing in my yard” or “I hope all my favorite teams win the championships while I’m in the front row of every game.” This word elpis indicates true confidence and real expectation, without a doubt in one’s mind. How often do we possess that kind of hope?!
David’s faith in God did not waver when confronted with the Philistine giant, and Abraham’s faith did not waver even though there was no humanly way God’s promise could come true. How awesome that we serve a God not bound by the limits of humanity! Abraham’s belief and hope in God’s promises caused him to be “strengthened in his faith and [give] glory to God” rather than discouraged and straying from the faith.
I want to have a belief against all hope! I pray that we will not waver even when God’s way doesn’t make sense, because His way is higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and He is able to do more than we could even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Because of Abraham’s faith and hope, it was credited to him as righteousness (v. 22) – and the next verse indicates that the same righteousness extends to us, if we also choose Jesus!
We as believers must remain focused on our ultimate hope, the return of Jesus and eternal life in the Kingdom. Keep hoping beyond hope. Keep praying. Keep the faith. God is still all powerful! May it be said of us as it was of Abraham: “and yet they did not waver!”
Reflection questions:
What would your life look like if you truly embraced the concept of elpis?
In what specific ways might God be calling you to believe against all hope?
Prayer:
Help us, Lord, to have a deep faith and hope that is beyond all human understanding. May we follow you even when it doesn’t make sense.
-Devotion by Brian K Froehlich – posted on his facebook page on April 11, 2026, where he has been writing and sharing his thoughts as he is reading through the Bible chronologically this year.
There are moments in life where everything seems to hang in the balance. The pressure builds. The clock is ticking. The outcome feels uncertain. And in those moments, what we believe about God is revealed—not by what we say, but by what we do.
That is exactly where we find Saul and Jonathan in these chapters. Two men. Two responses. Two very different outcomes.
Let’s walk through the story together.
Saul has been made king. The people have what they asked for. But almost immediately, we see the tension. The Philistines are gathering. Their army is overwhelming—chariots, soldiers, numbers beyond counting. Meanwhile, Israel is afraid. People are hiding in caves, in holes, anywhere they can find safety.
And Saul is waiting.
He was told to wait for Samuel. Seven days. Wait for God’s instruction. Wait for the offering. Wait for the moment when God would act.
But waiting is hard when fear is loud.
The people are scattering. The pressure is rising. And Saul makes a decision: “Bring me the offering.”
He steps into a role that was not his. He offers the sacrifice himself.
And just as he finishes… Samuel arrives.
The timing is almost painful. If Saul had just waited a little longer.
Samuel’s words cut straight to the heart: “You have done a foolish thing.”
Not because Saul didn’t care. Not because he didn’t want victory. But because he did not trust God enough to wait.
There is a difference between acting in leadership and acting out of fear. Saul’s decision was not rooted in faith—it was rooted in panic.
And here is the lesson for us:
Impatience often looks like responsibility. It feels like we are doing something necessary. But if it steps outside of what God has said, it is not faith—it is fear in motion.
Saul explains himself. “The men were scattering… the Philistines were assembling… I felt compelled.”
“I felt compelled.”
How often do we make decisions based on what we feel in the moment instead of what we know to be true about God?
Saul had clear instruction. But pressure made him rewrite it.
And Samuel tells him something sobering: his kingdom will not endure. God is seeking a man after His own heart.
Now the story shifts.
If chapter 13 shows us fear-driven leadership, chapter 14 shows us faith in action.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, quietly tells his armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.”
Listen to that carefully.
“Perhaps the Lord will act.”
This is not doubt. This is humility. Jonathan is not presuming on God—but he is also not paralyzed by uncertainty.
He continues: “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
That is faith.
Faith is not having all the answers. Faith is knowing who God is, even when the outcome is unclear.
Jonathan doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He steps forward based on what he knows about God’s character.
And his armor-bearer responds with one of the most beautiful lines in Scripture: “Do all that you have in mind… I am with you heart and soul.”
Faith has a way of spreading. Courage invites courage.
Jonathan proposes a sign. If the Philistines call them up, they will go—trusting that God has given them victory.
And that is exactly what happens.
Two men climb up a cliff, exposed, vulnerable, outnumbered.
And God moves.
They strike down about twenty men. Panic spreads through the camp. The ground shakes. Confusion overtakes the enemy. What began as a small act of faith becomes a sweeping victory.
Here is the contrast:
Saul had the army, the position, the authority—and acted in fear.
Jonathan had none of those things—and acted in faith.
One rushed ahead without God.
The other stepped forward trusting God.
But the story doesn’t end there.
Saul, seeing the confusion in the Philistine camp, joins the battle. Victory is within reach. But then Saul makes another rash decision.
He puts the army under an oath: no one is to eat until evening, until he has avenged himself on his enemies.
Notice the wording—“until I have avenged myself.”
This is no longer about God’s victory. It has become personal.
The result? The army grows weak. They are exhausted. They cannot fully pursue the enemy.
Jonathan, who did not hear the oath, tastes some honey. His strength returns. And he says plainly, “My father has made trouble for the country.”
It is a powerful moment. The one who acted in faith sees clearly. The one who acted in fear continues to complicate the situation.
Later, the people are so famished that they begin to sin by eating meat with the blood still in it—something God had clearly forbidden.
Fear leads to impatience. Impatience leads to poor decisions. Poor decisions lead others into trouble.
And Saul almost puts Jonathan to death for breaking the oath—until the people intervene and save him.
So what do we take from all of this?
First, waiting on God is not weakness. It is trust. Saul’s failure was not a lack of action—it was a lack of trust in God’s timing.
Second, faith does not require certainty—it requires confidence in who God is. Jonathan did not know exactly what would happen, but he knew God was able.
Third, leadership that is driven by fear will always create burdens. Leadership that is grounded in faith will bring clarity and life.
And finally, small acts of faith can change everything.
Jonathan did not have a large army. He did not have a perfect plan. He simply stepped forward in trust.
And God used that.
There may be areas in life right now where the pressure feels overwhelming. Where the timing feels uncertain. Where the temptation is to act quickly just to relieve the tension.
But these chapters remind us:
Do not let fear make your decisions for you.
Wait when God says wait.
Move when faith calls you forward.
Trust that the God who saves “by many or by few” is still at work.
And remember—He is not limited by your resources, your position, or your circumstances.
He is looking for hearts that trust Him.
Reflection Questions
Brian wrote, “Impatience often looks like responsibility. It feels like we are doing something necessary. But if it steps outside of what God has said, it is not faith—it is fear in motion.” Can you think of a time when you were acting with fear in motion? What was the outcome? What might have been better?
“How often do we make decisions based on what we feel in the moment instead of what we know to be true about God?” What do you know to be true about God regardless of your feelings?
What can you do during the difficult waiting times?
What might God be calling you to do to move forward in faith? Is there another person who could help add courage and faith to this forward, God-honoring movement? Pray about it. Find out what God thinks.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are a God of power, righteousness, and perfect timing and direction. Help me wait well in waiting seasons and courageously move in faith to follow Your lead and help me know the difference. I confess the times my fear, impatience, and lack of faith have led me away from You and what You have said is best. Help me honor You in my waiting and in my moving.
Today we are sharing the second half of Brian K Froehlich’s devotion on 1 Samuel 9-12 which he posted on his facebook page on April 11, 2026. Brian has faithfully been writing and sharing his thoughts as he reads through the Bible chronologically this year. Become his facebook friend and read along with his I Believe series.
1 Samuel 11 – A Real Victory
Saul leads Israel against the Ammonites (11:6–11).
God’s Spirit comes on him.
He unites the people.
He wins a decisive victory.
This is important.
Saul is not useless.
He is not a joke.
There is real success here.
And the people say:
“Now establish the kingdom in Saul’s hands!” (11:15)
It feels like everything is working.
But success does not always mean approval.
Sometimes God allows something to work
to show something deeper.
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1 Samuel 12 – The Truth Comes Out
Samuel gathers the people and speaks plainly.
First, he asks:
“Have I wronged you?” (12:3)
They answer:
“No.”
Samuel has been faithful.
Then he reminds them:
God delivered you from Egypt.
God saved you again and again.
God raised up leaders when you cried out.
And yet…
“When you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.” (12:12)
There it is again.
God was already their King.
Their problem was not lack of leadership.
Their problem was lack of trust.
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The Key Lesson from These Chapters
God says:
“They have rejected Me as their king.” (1 Samuel 8:7)
But what does God do?
He gives them a king anyway.
A man:
Saul
This is the pattern:
God is the King.
God appoints a human king.
That king rules under God.
That matches what God had already said:
“Be sure to appoint over you a king the LORD your God chooses.” (Deuteronomy 17:15)
The king is chosen by God.
The king is under God.
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Why Saul Was Not Enough
Saul had:
• The look
• The opportunity
• The support
But he could not fix the real problem.
Because the real problem was not enemies.
It was sin.
It was the human heart.
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Then Comes David
A better king.
“A man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
But even David fails.
So the Bible keeps pointing forward.
God promises:
“Your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16)
A future King is coming.
⸻
The One Who Could Do the Job
From David’s line comes:
Jesus Christ
And the Bible describes Him clearly:
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
A man.
The right man.
⸻
He is:
• “A man accredited by God” (Acts 2:22)
• The one God raised (Acts 2:24)
• The one God made Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36)
And Jesus says:
“All authority… has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
Given.
Not taken.
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How the Story Ends
Even at the end, Scripture says:
“He hands over the kingdom to God the Father.” (1 Corinthians 15:24)
God remains the King.
The Son rules under Him.
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Bringing It All Together
1 Samuel 9–12 is not just about Saul.
It is about a pattern:
God is the King.
People struggle to trust Him.
God appoints a human ruler.
Saul wasn’t the one.
David wasn’t the one.
But God never stopped working.
⸻
The Final Truth
We trust and receive the man Christ Jesus
to lead our world back to God.
Not because He replaced God.
But because God chose Him.
Because He obeyed perfectly.
Because He overcame sin.
Because He was raised to life.
⸻
Saul couldn’t do it.
David couldn’t do it.
Jesus WAS the one for the job.
Jesus IS the one for the job.
Jesus WILL BE the one for the job.
Reflection Questions
What are your impressions of Samuel?
What does the Bible tell us about who Jesus is? What is his relationship with God? What is his relationship with man? What jobs has he already done, is doing now, and will do?
Prayer
Dear God, I praise You for Your perfect plan. You are the All Wise & All Powerful King deserving of my allegiance, love, and obedience. Thank you for the incredible gift of Your Son to draw us close to You, to mediate between God and man, to show us how to please You, to conquer sin, and destroy the enemy, to rule for a time and then hand Your kingdom back to his Father and God. I desire to be a faithful, loving, obedient subject of You and Your perfectly chosen & anointed Messiah. Please show me how to serve well.
-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL) – Brian has been writing devotions on his facebook page this year as he reads along with a chronological Bible reading plan. Great job sharing God’s Word, Brian! Today’s devotion covers 1 Samuel 4-8.
I believe God is not something we carry. He is Someone we follow.
And in 1 Samuel 4–8, Israel had to learn that the hard way.
In 1 Samuel 4, Israel goes into battle against the Philistines—and they lose.
Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” or “Are we right with God?” they ask, “What can we bring into battle next time?”
So they come up with a plan.
“Let’s bring the ark of the covenant.”
Not to worship. Not to repent. Not to seek God. Just… bring the box.
They treated the ark like a good luck charm.
When the ark shows up, Israel shouts so loudly the ground shakes. The Philistines hear it and panic: “God has come into the camp!”
But here’s the problem—God hadn’t.
They brought the symbol, but ignored the God behind it.
And the result? Israel loses again. Thirty thousand die. The ark is captured. Eli’s sons are killed. And a woman names her child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel.”
They had the object, but they lost the presence.
I believe this still happens today. People carry Bibles, wear crosses, sit in church pews—but they are not walking with God.
God is not a charm you carry. He is a King you follow.
In 1 Samuel 5–6, the Philistines take the ark and place it in the temple of their god Dagon.
The next morning, Dagon is face down before the ark.
They set him back up.
The next morning, he has fallen again—this time his head and hands are broken off.
God didn’t need Israel to defend Him. He handled it Himself.
Then tumors break out among the people. Panic spreads from city to city. They finally say, “Send it back!”
They put the ark on a cart with two cows and say, “If this goes back to Israel, we’ll know it was God.”
It goes straight back.
Because God does not need help proving He is God.
I believe we forget this. We argue like God is fragile. We panic like truth is losing.
God is not on trial. He is still on the throne.
Then in 1 Samuel 6, the ark returns to Israel. The people rejoice.
But then something sobering happens.
Some men look into the ark—and they die.
There is something in us that wants to look.
Even when we know we shouldn’t, we want to see.
It reminds me of what happened after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
When he died in 1865, his body was placed on a funeral train that traveled across the country. In city after city, thousands of people lined up. They waited for hours—sometimes all night—just for a few seconds to look at his face.
Not touch. Not speak. Just look.
But it didn’t stop there.
After he was buried, his body was moved multiple times. Reburied. Relocated for security. There was even an attempted grave robbery.
And over the years, his casket was opened again and again.
Not once. Not twice. Multiple times.
Each time—people looking. Checking. Confirming. Curious.
The last time was in 1901. More than 35 years after his death, they opened it again just to make sure he was still there.
A teenage boy named Fleetwood Lindley was allowed to step forward and look inside. He later said Lincoln’s face was still recognizable.
And that boy lived until 1963.
Think about that.
For nearly 100 years after Lincoln died, someone could still say, “I saw him.”
There is something deep in human nature that doesn’t just want to hear—we want to see for ourselves.
And that same instinct shows up in 1 Samuel.
The ark wasn’t just a box. It represented the presence of God.
And the people thought, “What’s inside? Let me just look. Just a quick peek.”
But God had already made it clear—this is not something you handle casually.
This is not something you open out of curiosity.
Because what starts as curiosity quickly becomes irreverence.
And irreverence in the presence of a holy God is deadly.
Not everything sacred is meant to be opened.
In 1 Samuel 7, the people finally ask the right question: “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?”
And Samuel gives the right answer: “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods.”
Repentance—not rituals.
They gather. They fast. They confess, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
And when the Philistines come again, this time God thunders from heaven and throws them into confusion.
Israel wins.
Samuel sets up a stone and calls it Ebenezer—“Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Notice the difference.
Before, they carried the ark into battle.
Now, they come to God in repentance.
Before, they tried to use God.
Now, they submit to Him.
And that changes everything.
I believe victory doesn’t come from having God near you. It comes from being right with Him.
Then in 1 Samuel 8, the people come to Samuel and say, “Give us a king.”
Why?
“So we can be like all the other nations.”
God tells Samuel, “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”
They didn’t want “no king.”
They wanted a king they could see. Control. Be like everyone else.
Samuel warns them—a king will take your sons, your daughters, your fields, your money.
And they say, “We still want a king.”
I believe this is still true.
People say they want freedom. They say they want no king. But they don’t.
They just want a king they can manage.
But God does not compete with other kings.
He calls you to surrender to Him.
I believe God is not a tool to use. God is not weak and in need of defense. God is holy—not casual. And God alone is worthy to be King.
So the question is not, “Do you have God with you?”
The question is: Are you with Him?
Because you can carry the ark and still lose the battle.
But if you return to Him with all your heart, you will find that He was never lost at all.
Reflection Questions
It’s hard to get the right answers when you ask the wrong questions. What wrong questions do people ask today? When have you found yourself asking the wrong questions? What are better questions to ask?
Is there a time when your lack of repentance got you into deeper trouble? What happens when you repent? Is there something you need to repent of right now?
What or who do you want to be the leader of your life? Do your actions andd attitudes agree with the answer you gave? What does submitting to God look like?
How has God helped you thus far? How will you remember these things?
Prayer
Dear God, You are a holy, righteous God, maker of heaven and earth, the only true God, the One who sits on the throne today with your Son at Your right hand. How amazing that the King of the Universe wants to have a relationship with me! Help me to not take You for granted, God, or treat You irreverently. Help me see clearly what I need to repent of, that I will repent, submit and be right with You.
Today’s reading in 1 Samuel 5-6 is so thought-provoking. I can’t help but wonder, how could these people be directly confronted with the power of God and not be convinced to follow Him as the one true God and to forsake all other gods? They literally witnessed firsthand the terrifying wrath of God Almighty as they were plagued with tumors and their “god” Dagon was reduced to a beheaded and dismembered statue. In our modern times, it is truly mind-boggling to me that anyone can see the beauty and splendor of earth (the variety of flowers, trees, natural landscapes, etc.) and our amazing bodies (immune system, regeneration, etc.) and conclude it happened by mere explosive chance. It reminds me that we can’t take it personally when people don’t accept the gospel message in spite of our best efforts. We have to be faithful that God knows hearts and He can find a way to reach them if their hearts are open. Today’s reading in Acts 26 is such a great testimony to that concept. Paul testifies to King Agrippa about his actions toward Christians while he was a Pharisee:
9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities. (CSBA)
God knew Paul’s heart and he used Jesus Christ to reach Paul. Paul had to literally be struck blind before he could finally “see” the light. We are wisely advised in Matthew 10:14 regarding what to do when others reject the gospel message we share:
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
It’s also important to remember that we could be planting a seed that might bear fruit down the road because God will see to it that it comes to fruition based on that person’s heart. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 reminds us of this important point:
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (ESV)
In the meantime, we must not give up as advised in Galatians 6:9:
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (ESV)
When I signed up for today’s devotion, I did so specifically because Psalm 46 is one of my absolute favorite passages in the Bible; therefore, I can’t end this devotion without tying in this beloved chapter. This passage is a great reminder that when we encounter trouble in this world (including resistance to the gospel message), we can be comforted by verse 1 that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (ESV) Be obedient and share the gospel message, and then give it to God.
9 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress . (ESV)
Reflection Questions
What were some of Paul’s experiences in sharing the gospel message?
What have your experiences been in sharing the gospel message? Do you let the fear of, or past negative reactions keep you from trying?
What can you learn from Paul?
What makes God and His Son so worthy of sharing with others? What happens when we don’t?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the One True God – worthy of all praise and worship and worthy of our dedication to sharing the good news. I confess the times I have not taken advantage of all the opportunities You place before me to share what a great, worthy God You are. Help me be who You want me to be. Help me learn from Paul and boldly, with a heart of compassion and urgency, share with others who You are and what You and Your Son have done and will do. Thank You for opening and changing hearts and being the help I need today.
Verses 24 and 25 in today’s reading in Acts immediately captured my attention,
“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (NIV).
My takeaway from these verses is that Felix must have recognized the gospel message as the truth, but didn’t want to act on it. Instead, he wanted to pretend like he had never heard it. Reading these verses immediately brought to mind Hebrews 10:31: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (NIV) Earlier in chapter 10 of Hebrews in verse 26 and 27, we read of the fate of those who know the truth but don’t allow it to change them, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” To be confronted with the truth and then deliberately choose to ignore it doesn’t make us immune from God’s judgment. Hebrews 10:39: “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (NIV) May we have a bold faith like Paul rather than one that shrinks back like Felix’s.
Reflection Questions
Why might Felix have been afraid of the truth he heard from Paul – about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come? Even with fear, what might have been a better response than his, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you”?
Is there truth that you are too afraid to face? How do you respond to that fear? Even with fear, what might be a better response?
Are there some things God might want us to be fearful of? If so, what and why, for what purpose? Are there some things God does not want us to be fearful of? If so, what and why, for what purpose?
Prayer
Dear God, You are the mighty and wise Creator of heaven and earth and all truth. I pray that You show me what is true – about You, Your Son, Your Word, myself, this world and the one to come. I desire a deeper and deeper faith in You that is bold in believing, sharing and acting upon Your truth. Guide me today in seeing and making the most of every opportunity you set before me, as a Paul and not a Felix. In the name of Your Son, who came and will come again, I pray.
While Ruth is so titled for the woman who shows great bravery in following her mother-in-law to unknown land, she is not the main character of the story. Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, is the lead driving character in the whole story.
This book has many themes, the most prominent being love, however this isn’t the theme that I’d like to dive into today. Instead we will follow Naomi as she falls into bitterness for events for which she blames God. Then, we’ll look at how we or those close to us have experienced this same bitterness, events that make us turn to God and say, “Why? Why me?” and we’ll look at how Naomi and a couple others turned from this negative view.
The cause of Naomi’s bitterness is described in Ruth 1:1-5.
1During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while. 2The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there. 3Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about ten years, 5both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was left without her two children and without her husband.
Running down what Naomi has gone through so far, we see:
A famine forces her, with her husband and her sons, to flee to Moab, leaving her familial home behind.
Her husband dies.
While she experiences the joy of seeing her sons marry, she then loses both her sons
So, having been forced from her home, losing her husband, and also both her sons, Naomi is now a widow in a foreign land with no men in her life. Bear in mind, in the culture of the ancient near east, a woman has no social power without a man. Her life is in a massive upheaval and with this, Naomi makes a choice – her only choice, really. She will return home to Israel.
It’s easy while reading the Bible to forget that we’re reading about the lives of real humans. But, to put yourself in Naomi’s shoes for just a moment, you can probably imagine what she might be feeling in this moment. Naomi will answer for herself in Ruth 1:19-21, which says,
19The two of them traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole town was excited about their arrival and the local women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
20“Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter. 21I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
Ruth’s mother-in-law doesn’t feel like “pleasant” Naomi anymore. All these events have, understandably, made Naomi quite bitter towards her God. (This line in verse 20 is a play on words easily lost in the translation from Hebrew to English. “Naomi” means “pleasant”, while “Mara” means “bitter”. )
Naomi’s feeling that God has left her isn’t a unique instance in the Bible. The psalmist of Psalm 42-43 held a similar sentiment (these two Psalms are likely one psalm, based on the repeated refrain in 42:5, 42:11 and 43:5). He was likely someone during an exile whose psalm held two main prayers: first, help me against my enemies and second, why have you [God] abandoned me?
Psalm 43:2
For you are the God of my refuge.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about in sorrow
because of the enemy’s oppression?
The psalmist asks God to recall him to Jerusalem so he can worship once again. Continuing the psalm in 43:3-4:
3 Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.
Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.
4Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy.
I will praise you with the lyre,
God, my God.
This bitterness and abandonment that the psalmist and Naomi feel may easily be felt by us too. Through the woes of this world, whether it be the loss of good friends and family; seeing close friends walk away from the faith; or seeing the state of the world, a world which serves itself as god, it can be very easy for us to become dejected, to be in such turmoil. To become bitter as the people ask, all day long, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3).
But throughout this song and prayer, the psalmist repeats this refrain. It is a refrain of hope and faith. Though feeling abandoned by God, he still chooses to praise him. Psalm 43:5 says:
Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Following from the psalmist’s words it may seem easy to say: Why, Naomi, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, still praise him, your savior and your God. However, as with most things in life; it is easier said than done.
So how do we do it? How do we continue to show our faithfulness and love for God when times become turbulent?
Let’s start small and look at how the psalmist talks about God. 42:1-2 (which is the basis for my favorite hymn) tells us:
1As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
2I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
He begins with the longing to see his God (where he can see his God – at the temple). The psalmist speaks only faithfully of his God, remembering leading the festivities in the temple with joyful and thankful shouts. He is depressed though he does not wish to be.
Finally from this psalm, he calls Yahweh by name once in this whole psalm (42-43), which he uses intentionally, as a part of remembering Yahweh’s faithfulness. The singer remembers that Yahweh sends his faithful love, his hesed, by day, and His song is with him by night (Psalm 42:8). All day and all night, Yahweh is with you.
Now, bringing it back to Naomi, she doesn’t have some epiphany, nor does she come back to the joy of her God on her own. No, instead, she is brought back to joy by those around her. The titular Ruth, in a brilliant act of bravery, chooses to follow her mother-in-law to, to Ruth, a foreign land, choosing the unknown path of life over the safer path as Orpah did, in staying in Moab (Ruth 1:15-18). Because Ruth went with Naomi, God was able to work good in her life, through the path of a redeemer, Boaz, who would be the second major factor in restoring Naomi to a pleasant life (Ruth 4:15).
REflection Questions
Have you experienced the bitterness of life, as Naomi and this psalmist have? If you have, how’d you get through it? Did you do as the psalmist, choosing to praise God even when it was hard? Or did your friends and family help you through it, bringing the joy of God in their actions?
Prayer
Here’s a short prayer based on the psalm we read:
God, our God of heaven, how I long for you
Be with me in this life, that we might not forget
For those who seek you, asking “Where are you God?”
This verse from today’s reading is particularly poignant to me. When I read it, I imagine the person feeling like they are drowning in sorrows and troubles and calling out to God for their deepest rescue in their deepest time of need.
Earlier this week I alluded to the passage in Matthew when Peter stepped out in faith to walk on water. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ (Matthew 14:30, NIV). In this moment, Peter was literally scared he was going to drown and those three little words—”Lord, save me”—were so simple yet so powerful.
When we fail to find the right words, maybe we can remember those three little words —”Lord, save me”. Or, if we find ourselves struggling so much to keep our heads above water that we are at a complete loss for words, Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit will intercede for us when we feel like we are drowning and can’t even form the words: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (NIV) I am grateful for a God who loves us so much that He meets us where we are with a lifeboat. When we can’t find the words, He finds the words for us. How great is our God!
Reflection Questions
What is one of your favorite verses in Psalm 42? Does an image come to mind when you read it? Explain.
Kristy gives a powerful image when she writes: “I am grateful for a God who loves us so much that He meets us where we are with a lifeboat.” How else might you complete the sentence – God meets us with a __________. Thank Him.
When have you felt stuck in the crashing whitewater at a loss for words? When have you said, “Lord, Save Me!”? How have you experienced God’s rescue? What do you need saving from now?
Prayer
Dear Lord God – You are a God who saves! Over and over You meet we where I am with what I need, including salvation through Your Son, wisdom, understanding, courage, patience, Christian brothers and sisters, and hope for the future in Your perfect Kingdom of God on earth. Thank You! Please keep providing and saving! Thank you for Your Word where I find You and so many of Your gifts. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which comforts and empowers and gives me words. You are so good, God! Help me see You at work and give me all I need today to do the work You have prepared in advance for me to do.
Acts 16:25: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (NIV). I am always deeply moved by this passage and always wonder what those hymns consisted of. According to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, “As the word here employed is that used to denote the Paschal hymn sung by our Lord and His disciples after their last Passover (Mt 26:30), and which we know to have consisted of Ps 113:1-118:29, which was chanted at that festival, it is probable that it was portions of the Psalms, so rich in such matter, which our joyous sufferers chanted forth; nor could any be more seasonable and inspiring to them than those very six Psalms, which every devout Jew would no doubt know by heart.”
Of course I had to rush to read Ps. 113-118 to try and imagine what that might have sounded like. I noticed several lines from these passages that are found in modern-day worship songs like
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Ps. 113:3, NIV)
and
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever”. (Ps. 118:1, NIV)
Further down on Ps. 118, I spotted some great words of comfort that no doubt really resonated with the other prisoners:
5
When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
What an incredible witness they were to the faithfulness of God and their faithfulness to God! They were so kingdom-focused that they didn’t dream of taking the opportunity to escape when their shackles fell off. Not only were they a tremendous witness to the prisoners, but to the guard when they refused to escape. Their faithfulness to their God-given mission resulted in the guard and his household becoming believers. Praise in the midst of hardship is a recurring theme in this week’s readings. Many are watching us and listening to us and we have the opportunity to be a great testimony by how we react to our trials and struggles. Do we reflect the faith of Paul and Silas?
Reflection Questions
When faced with a difficult (or worse) day, what are some of your first responses? Are there times you let worry, fear, complaining, blaming, self-pity, negativity, shutting down, lashing out, or other harmful responses take over?
How might praying, and singing hymns and worship songs (especially those created from Scripture, so I will even add recalling and reading the Bible) be helpful to you? And beneficial to those around you?
Do you reflect the faith of Paul and Silas? What could you commit to working on this week to boost your faith and your testimony of God’s faithfulness, even when your life has some challenges along the way?
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for being a faithful God. You do not desert Your children. I am sorry for the times I have neglected to turn to You first with prayer and worship and filling my mouth and mind and heart with Your perfect words of hope, comfort, righteousness, correction, mercy, love and faithfulness. Help me see that You and all of the good gifts You have already supplied are sufficient for my needs, even on days I experience trials. May I forever be a faithful witness of Your faithfulness to me.
Seek Grow Love 