Returning - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 1:22.

Returning
Yesterday we learned of Elimelech's self-willed decision to leave Bethlehem for Moab and saw the terrible consequences it had for himself and his family: only his wife Naomi remained alive as an impoverished widow.

Then in Moab she heard the news that God had again given His people bread. Touched by such divine grace; she made her way back home. Her daughter-in-law Ruth, a Moabitess, accompanied her to Israel. When they arrived in Bethlehem, people were starting to harvest barley, so that there was no lack of food for the two penniless widows.

Their journey back to Bethlehem shows us that a return is always possible for a believer who has gone astray. God waits for us to acknowledge that we have deviated from the pathway and turn to Him with a confession. Then He forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, so that unhindered fellowship with Him can once again be enjoyed.

Once back in Bethlehem Naomi made a full confession: "Do not call me Naomi (i.e. pleasant); call me Mara (i.e. bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, . From her words we learn

what painful consequences can ensue on a wrong pathway and
how gracious the Lord proves to be in drawing back to Himself believers who have turned aside.
(concluded)

Today‘s reading: 1 Samuel 16: 14 - 23 · Psalms 102: 19 - 29