How to Find Your DestinyНамуна

The Voice of Reason

Naomi's first attempt to convince Ruth and Orpah to return to Moab ended with her blessing them, kissing them, and weeping with them. Emotions were high. I mean, after all, girls are emotional beings! But here's the thing, the voice of emotion did not deter either of them. Out of duty, Ruth 1:10 reveals they were determined to go back with Naomi, but then the voice of reason demanded to be heard.

In Ruth 1:11-12, we see Naomi plead with her daughters-in-law again to return home to Moab after they had already decided to follow her on her journey to Bethlehem. She asks the logical question, "Why would you come with me?"

Naomi asked this question because Levitical law suggested that a widow marry another son within the same family so their children could inherit their deceased father's inheritance. Naomi reasoned that she was too old to have another husband, and even if she did and gave birth to sons that very night, it would not make sense for Ruth and Orpah to remain unmarried until those sons grew up.

For Orpah, Naomi's reasoning was enough. She conceded, kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, and tearfully headed back to Moab.

Not so for Ruth. Her conviction convinced her that what seemed to make sense at that moment would be the very thing that would keep her from God's best. So, she exclaimed to Naomi that not only will "your people be my people, but your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). She was determined to defy reason and step into her new season.

Destiny doesn't always make sense. After all, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Just ask Sarah. Barren and past the age of childbearing, God told her that she would have a son. She reasoned, even laughing to herself, that she was too old and worn out, but the Lord rebuked her, saying, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14)

Then there's Naaman. Scripture says Naaman was a valiant soldier, but he had a condition known as leprosy. The prophet Elisha instructed Naaman to go and wash seven times in the River Jordan, and then he would be healed, but Naaman went away angry. He reasoned that the prophet could've just waved his hand over his spotted skin and cured him instantly. He further reasoned that the rivers in Damascus would be more appropriate than the muddied waters of the Jordan. Eventually, Naaman's servants convinced him to listen to the prophet. He dipped seven times in the River Jordan and restored his flesh.

Sometimes, in our finite wisdom, we talk ourselves right out of the very thing God is talking us into. This is why the wise man reminds us to "lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Had Ruth leaned on her own understanding, not followed the conviction given to her by God, or reasoned herself back to the familiar rather than forward to the unknown, she never would have been part of the lineage of Christ.

My friends, let us lean not on our own understanding but follow God's voice.

Prayer:

Lord God, forgive me. Forgive me for not heeding the convictions You have put in my heart. Forgive me for trying to make sense of what You are calling me to when I know Your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are higher than mine. Help me to be courageous enough to step into the unknown when You call me. Give me the determination of Ruth to stay the course with You. In Jesus' name, I pray, with thanksgiving, Amen.