It's Party Time... and YOU Are the Guest of Honor!

“Running to the Lord is the only thing that has truly helped me.” – Rev. Gary Hayden

At our church, we just started studying the Book of Ruth. Chapter One tells the story of Naomi, who moves from Bethlehem to Moab along with her husband Elimelech and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion because of a famine in their homeland. While in Moab, Elimelech dies but both of Naomi’s sons marry Moabite women. Unfortunately, both sons die too, leaving their young wives – Orpah and Ruth – also widows, along with Naomi, who is still mourning the loss of her husband.

With nowhere else to turn, Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem, where she has heard the famine has ended. Orpah and Ruth both offer to return with her, but Naomi insists that they stay in Moab and remarry. Orpah reluctantly agrees, but Ruth refuses to leave her mother-in-law. In fact, her dedication is so strong – and her spiritual conversion is so real – that she makes the following pledge before God to Naomi…

“Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16 (NLT)

If you know the story of Ruth, you know that God honors Ruth’s pledge by orchestrating events so that she meets her kinsman-redeemer and future husband, Boaz. Not only that, but through their lineage comes King David, King Solomon, and King Jesus!

My friend, if you are feeling lost and lonely, down and depressed, and like there is no way out of your current predicament, I have a simple word of advice: “GO HOME!”

Go Home to God, who just like the father of the prodigal son, has been searching the horizon for you each and every day. And when He sees you heading in His direction, I guarantee you that He will run towards you, wrap His loving arms around you, and give you a kiss. Not only that, but He will place a ring on your finger, signifying that your once-broken relationship has been fully restored.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s a celebration about to happen… and YOU are the guest of honor!

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President