21 Days of Prayer - Persevereናሙና

When You’ve Suffered Loss

Naomi’s story is a story of famine, loss, disappointment, lament, restoration, and redemption. Naomi, a resident of Bethlehem, along with her husband and sons, were in the midst of a great famine. Because of this, they went to reside in Moab. After entering the land, Naomi’s husband dies. Eventually, her two sons also die. Her family is left without a male heir, and she is left vulnerable, unprotected, and frustrated. She urges her daughters-in-law to go back to their hometowns. Ruth insists on staying with Naomi, and they return to Bethlehem.

Throughout the book of Ruth, Naomi expresses her grief and despair. She has lost her husband and two sons. She is too old to marry and have more kids. All hope should be lost for any future heirs. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, goes to a field to glean among the ears of grain. This field belongs to a relative of Naomi’s husband, Boaz. Naomi instructs Ruth on what to do, ultimately leading to Boaz and Ruth's marriage.

In Ruth 4, this is what the women said to Naomi about the son of Boaz and Ruth: “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. 15 May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’ 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. 17 And the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘“A son has been born to Naomi!’”

Why should you persist after a loss? You should persist because God is faithful. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Naomi goes from having no hope of an heir to having a “son” who is the grandfather of David and ultimately in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus Christ. There is nothing our God cannot do!

Her story is a lot like mine, all of our stories. Were we not all without sustenance before heeding the Holy Spirit’s call? Were we not all dead in our sins, in despair? Did He not redeem us all? No matter what loss you may face, keep persevering. God has good things ahead for you!

Ruby Washington

Prayer Point: What have you lost recently? Pray about this and ask God to comfort you. Remember that He will always restore what was lost to something better than before.