The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ruth 1:1-9, “Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there.

3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

4 And they took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.

5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the LORD had visited His people in giving them food.

7 So she departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 “May the LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.”

Circumstances often shape our lives and determine what we do. Job changes sometimes cause people to move across or even outside their country. The availability of jobs is always a major factor. Marriages and births rearrange our lives as well. Such was the situation with this Jewish couple, whose life change was indeed a major factor that would figure into the future life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Elimelech and Naomi were Judeans, but when famine struck Judea, they moved with their two sons to Moab. All was apparently well until Elimelech died. It’s one thing for a family to live in a foreign country; it’s quite another when the head of the family is not there to guide. Complicating Naomi’s situation were the marriages of her sons to Moabite women.

Yet, the LORD had a plan unknown to Naomi. Undoubtedly, she prayed, and the LORD led her to return to Judea. His plan was fundamentally greater than hers, although it did not seem that way at the time.

Prayer is always a major factor when situations become difficult. True faith always results in effective prayer. Sincere believers’ first resort is always sincere prayer. Are you currently facing a major difficulty? The LORD is our game-changer. Trust Him prayerfully. All will ultimately be well when we rest ourselves in His warm and capable hands.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom