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January 12 Daily Devotional

Being a Poor Witness

Peter G. Feenstra

And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house.” (Ruth 1:8)

Bible Reading

Ruth 1:6–15

Devotional

There are times when we are a poor witness to our children, grandchildren and to people both within and outside the church community. Rather than seeing what goes on in the church as the work of Christ we think and speak of it in human terms. We fail to speak about the church as the place where we meet Christ in the garments of Holy Scripture, and as the community where people can find refuge from the troubles that afflict all of humanity.

Naomi is a poor witness to her daughters-in-law when she recommends that they stay in Moab. From a human point of view we can understand that she advises them to stay in the place where they grew up. Naomi passes up a golden opportunity, however, to speak about how the LORD protects strangers and sustains widows. Rather than saying, “Go back,” Naomi should have encouraged Orpah and Ruth to join her in returning to the land of promise. Since her heart is filled with bitterness and self-pity she does not say a word about the Lord’s grace and salvation.

The emotions are running high! They kiss and hug and weep aloud but Naomi has nothing spiritual to offer her daughters-in-law. Orpah returns to her own people and to her gods, to a land where there is no promise of salvation. Naomi is an obstacle in the church-gathering work of the Lord Jesus Christ. She hinders the work of the Lord and does not further His kingdom in her interaction with these two women.

We do not know what the Lord’s purpose is with our neighbours, our colleagues at work, or the people with whom we come into contact on a regular basis. This is why we should not hesitate to speak when opportunity arises. Naomi did not know the Lord's purpose with Ruth; yet it was her calling to invite Ruth to join God’s people. We are called to invite others as well, as this is where the blessings of the covenant are enjoyed. In the church there is a place for the depressed and the oppressed because this is where God promises to provide His love, grace and salvation. The circumstances of Ruth's confession highlight the marvel of God’s grace and mercy. Ruth joins the people of God in spite of the poor example of her mother-in-law. The bad example of fellow believers should not deter us from fulfilling our responsibility toward others. With a love for the Lord in our hearts let us not hesitate to speak glorious things of His church.

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