RUTH1:3,5 : Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Then both
Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
A man took his elderly mother out to the cemetery to decorate graves for Memorial Day. After placing
a bouquet of flowers on her husband’s grave, she wandered among the other grave stones marking
the resting places of other family members who had gone to be with the Lord. Finally she stopped,
looked her son in the eye and with a wistful smile asked, “What have I done to deserve all this over
time?”
Perhaps Naomi felt the same way. She had left Israel with a husband and two sons; now only she
was left alone, and yet not alone. God had brought into her life two compassionate daughters-in-law,
one of whom would follow her all the way back to Israel. Even though Naomi intensely felt the loss of
her loved ones, God had not deserted her. He provided, even in a foreign land, those who would love
and care for a forlorn widow.
God never really leaves us alone. When He removes those whom we expect to love and support us,
He always provides another way for this need to be met. While you may experience the pain of
separation, you never need to feel totally abandoned. Sometimes God grants you an unmistakable
sense of His company. Other times He uses people around you to be the instruments of His love and
comfort. In either case, His compassion never fails and His presence never falters.
Perhaps you have lost the one dearest to you. Maybe you have moved far away from family and
friends. Let God fill your life with His presence in whatever way He chooses, and rejoice that He
never forgets nor forsakes. Be assured that even though there may be an empty place in your home,
there can be a fullness in your heart.
YOU MAY FEEL LONELY, BUT YOU NEED NEVER FEEL ALONE