Love God Greatly: Broken & RedeemedSample

SOAP – Ruth 1:20-21
Naomi was a righteous woman who suffered the great anguish of losing her husband and two sons. Although Naomi described herself as bitter, she did not yet know that God’s plan for her was much bigger than her own. Naomi’s example was so powerful and significant that Ruth, her daughter-in-law, surrendered her life to follow God. She would introduce Ruth to Boaz who would marry and birth a son who would be in the bloodline of Jesus Christ. Naomi, even in her sorrow, became a vital link in God’s global plan to bring redemption and salvation to the world.

In what circumstance are you experiencing pain, bitterness, and anguish? God does not promise us pain-free lives, but He does promise that every hurt and every loss is for His purpose. We must be willing to surrender our plans, our desires, and our expectations to the will of God, even when we may not understand the reason why.

Father God, You are the omniscient, immense, and almighty. Lord, Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and Your ways are not my ways. Lord, help me to trust You when I am faced with pain and despair. Help me to remember that Your plans for me are good. Help me to release my expectations of how my life should go and surrender my plans and my agenda to Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.