Trudging along the road, Naomi and Ruth headed around the bend. Finally, the city gates! If only…but nothing could bring life back to her precious husband and sons. After seeking life in Moab during the famine, the return to Bethlehem should have been a joyous homecoming. However, Naomi only felt heartache and, if she was honest, anger. Why had God brought this upon her family? What had she done to deserve the loss of her husband and both sons? The one saving grace was Ruth.

Knowing what life would be like for outsiders in Bethlehem, Naomi encouraged Orpah and Ruth to leave this life of bitterness. Finding a new husband in Moab would give them a better life. While she dearly loved Orpah, Ruth had been the one to cling to her, to insist on coming with her to start a new life. Naomi knew she could not bear to lose Ruth too, so she let her Moabite daughter-in-law come.

Entering into the city, the two women were met by Naomi’s longtime friends. In response to their greetings, Naomi changed her name to match her heart.

““Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”” (Ruth 1:20-21 NLT)

Settling in the new land, Ruth asked Naomi if she could go out into the fields and gather grain left behind by the harvesters. With permission given, Ruth found herself working in the fields of a man named Boaz. With his protection and generosity, Ruth gathered an abundance.

Hearing the details of Ruth’s day, Naomi was reminded God was working in their lives. Not only had He provided an abundance of grain to meet their physical need, but God also led Ruth to their kinsman-redeemer. As a close relative, Boaz could provide for their ongoing needs and continue the family line. Hope started softening the bitterness in Naomi’s heart as God’s plan for their deliverance began to fall into place.

Living through such incredible loss, Naomi could not possibly see any good in God’s plan. Her lack of understanding and trust led to a heart of bitterness. As God’s plan began to unfold, her trust grew knowing He was the God who did see. Her bitterness faded away. Hope and God’s presence brought fullness back to her empty heart.

From the beginning, God knew the path Naomi’s life needed to take for the Messiah to come. If Naomi and her family had not gone to Moab, Ruth would never have married Mahlon. Losing her security in life and those she held dear, Naomi returned to a place of security bringing Ruth with her. If Naomi had not allowed Ruth to make a home with her in Bethlehem, Ruth would not have ended up in the fields of Boaz. Her work in the fields led to her marriage to their kinsman-redeemer. The continuation of Mahlon’s family line through Boaz and Ruth led generations later to the birth of our Savior.

We cannot always make sense of what takes place in our lives. With one thing happening after the other, life takes us to places we would not choose. With hurt filling our hearts, we wonder where God is in it all. When the trials refuse to let up, we question God’s goodness and bitterness sets in. While the path may seem unclear to us, God fully sees what is ahead. He knows what needs to take place for His plan to be revealed. As we see Him instead of our circumstances, our trust deepens as God’s plan falls into place.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Maybe you are in the place where everything seems to be headed the wrong way. You wonder if God even sees you. Can you see Him? As you seek God with all of your heart, you

will find Him. From your place of uncertainty, you will know God’s presence, and hope will arise!