A Love Most Precious: A 10-Day Reading Plan Based on the Book of RuthSample

With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. RUTH 1:7 NIV

After Naomi’s devastating loss of her husband and two sons, she chose to return home to Judah. She must have felt anxious during the process. Perhaps she asked herself questions like “Will people welcome me or chastise me? Will life be good again in my homeland, or will my return lead to poverty and misery? What will God do with me now?”

But even in the midst of all the questions and uneasiness of such a transition, that road was paved with hope. So Naomi headed out, along with her two daughters-in-law.

Some unexpected transitions in our lives can be riddled with grief and stress. A painful divorce. Being a single mom with little support. The loss of one’s family fortune. An upheaval within the family that causes an estrangement. A child with sudden disabilities or the loss of one’s health or employment. The list can go on and on. But with God, the road ahead can be paved with hope.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], on those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness” (Psalm 33:18 AMP).

Even though Naomi knew she would return home with a heavy heart for all that had happened to her, she would not abandon her God.

In all our journeys, big and small—in all our burdens, heavy and light—have we kept the faith? Have we clung to God? Do we take to the road, knowing it is paved with God’s hope?

Holy God, in all honesty, at times I feel life is a great, heavy burden. I sometimes get overwhelmed with it all. Please help me. Stay with me. Walk with me through the dark hours until I can know joy again. In Jesus’ powerful name, I pray. Amen.