God in Difficult Moments

16 But Ruth said:
“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The LORD do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

The life of Ruth is one of tragedy laden. His mother-in-law, Naomi had lost her husband and both her two sons. Ruth has become a widow. Now they are returning from Moab to Israel due to famine in the land. Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law decided that enough is enough and left. Ruth stayed and said those words in Ruth 1:16-17.

Ruth was a woman of loyalty. But more so a woman of faith. The circumstances doesn't make sense to sensibility. Rather it promises hardship ahead. Naomi wanted Ruth to leave. She could no longer protect and provide for Ruth. She has no sons to marry her, no food to feed her. She was a woman of destitute. Ruth chose to remain with her. Verse 16 told us that Ruth is a believer of Jehovah God. She said that Yahaweh is her God. Verse 17 told us about her unyielding loyalty to Naomi.

She is a woman of faith and committment. The difficult times did not deter her neither did it defer her. God is her God. Naomi is her mother-in-law.

I see this text as a woman of faith in God demonstrating the character of God in her treatment of Naomi. Naomi is certainly a helpless woman. Ruth too. But she chose to be with Naomi, her mother-in-law to be her comfort. God honoured Ruth eventually. Ruth remarried to Boaz later in the book of Ruth and became the great great x a few times grandmother of Jesus Christ.

The musical is nearing and begins this Sat. A lot of unfortunate events happened yesterday. Uncle Ivan had to make painful decisions. I admired his courage and see reasons for him to doing so. Spoke to him for a while. One of the cast was changed last minute. A main cast. Thankfully, a willing and joyful replacement came along. However only a week remained.

The songs I wrote were also reviewed and many suggestions were given to let the lyrics fall more in line with the script. The changes were a lot. Initially I didn't feel good. Knew it was pride. But thankfully, with much prayer, God did direct my thinking towards Him and His message and I realise this musical is His not mine. All things for Him. No flesh shall glory in His presence I was reminded. So I thank God for every change. Every change for a better Christmas message of Christ. Thank God for this valuable lesson.

Another one is more personal. My car collide with Pastor's car. Just a minor contact but still, cause abrasions on his bumper. My car was dented. Pastor was forgiving. Very forgiving. My back bumper was also scratched when I hit the kerb after abrasing Pastor's car. No time to think about repairs. Heartache but not necessary.

Seeing all these things happening in one day is so disheartening. But these are not great tragedies of life. God is good no matter what I am reminded. I am reminded of Ruth 1:16-17 this morning as I pondered God's truth. I asked myself a few questions. Is God a cosmic killjoy? Does God thwart and go against us? The answer is a resounding No. If it is No, it must be Yes.

Ruth chose God still in difficult times. Great hardship still she chose God to be her God. She is afterall a Moabite. She chose to enter the land of Israel with Naomi. Acts 14:22 says, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” These words come from persecuted Christians in the book of Acts. They like Ruth, chose God and so chose tribulations for a promise of salvation. A promise with God and so they chose to be for God. And I know God is for us. The events have unfolded is very discouraging. But God definitely has a good purpose. Perhaps it is a timely and purging reminder that we must go on our knees to plead more. Perhaps it is to say that "No flesh shall glory in His presence." God is showing Himself strong that this musical is His. He desires fighting the battle for us to reveal He is fighting for us.

I am not quite sure and convinced why things have happened. But I know I must choose to trust Him. He is trustworthy. God has not failed me before. Trying moments again. God will not change His character. So if He is a faithful God. He will remain faithful.

Again a Romans 8:28 moment. A truth of God.

Praying for God. Looking for God in His answers.

May His glory gives me joy this Christmas again!

Thank God.

A good will come out eventually. It will.