Living with loss is something everyone faces in life. It might be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a friendship, the loss of a job, the loss of a dream, a business or financial loss, or the loss of health. Losses visit us all at some point.
While any significant loss is painful and difficult to dealt with, it doesn’t have to destroy you. One of the greatest lessons we can learn is to look for life after our losses.
In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we find the story of two ladies who experienced tough losses. Their names are Naomi, along with her daughter-in-law Ruth. Unexpectedly they both ended up as widows. Naomi, although an Israelite, had been living away from her homeland in the foreign territory of Moab. There one of her sons married a young Moabite lady, Ruth.
After Naomi’s husband and son died, leaving both her and Ruth alone, Naomi decided to return to Israel. Ruth chose to go with her. At this point, their lives seemed hopeless. Their loss left them desperate and destitute, dependent on the charity of others. Nevertheless, Naomi and Ruth kept their faith alive. They got up each day trusting God for grace and provision, and for the fulfillment of His plan. They kept believing that there was life beyond their losses!
If you read the four short chapters of the book of Ruth you will discover that God didn’t disappoint them. God redeemed their losses in an absolutely amazing way. Through God’s supernatural providence Ruth met, and eventually married an honorable, highly respected man named Boaz. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who was the father of a man named Jesse, who became the father of David, the second king of Israel! Ruth, a lady who had suffered a terrible loss, lived beyond her loss and entered into history as a part of the human genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Savior! And Naomi got to be a part of the incredible story too!
Have you experienced a loss in your life? Don’t let your loss define your future destiny. Keep your faith alive. Keep going. With God there is always life beyond your loss!
Pastor Dale
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