Key Verse: Verse 3 – “And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.”
For me one of the most heart-wrenching times of life is watching as a person goes through the loss of a spouse to whom they have been married for years. It’s during this time that decisions must be made about life and living. Either we can go into a shell of depression and discouragement or we can invest our lives in the ministry of God for others. This is what Naomi did.
- Naomi went back to her people.
- She invested her life in Ruth.
- God blessed Naomi. She is known as the mother of Ruth’s son (4:17).
In 1974 there was an elderly couple in our church, the Donaldson’s, who were long-time missionaries. Bro. & Mrs. Donaldson had been married for over 65 years when Bro. Donaldson died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was on a Friday, and to everyone’s amazement, come Sunday morning, Mrs. Donaldson came walking into church, taught her Sunday School class, sang in the choir, and carried a young couple out to lunch. She did this not once but every Sunday. She chose to invest her life in others rather than to become depressed and discouraged. Now, I’m sure her heart ached; but she continued steadfast and developed the title of Naomi, the Second. What a blessing she was!! She left behind a testimony of faithfulness and dependability, not one of doom and despair. To God be the glory!!
Dr. Mike Rouse
What to do:
✞Remember, there’s nothing wrong with weeping and mourning over a departed spouse; but the key is getting up and serving God by serving others.
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