God is Faithful.
This coming June, my wife and I will celebrate 16 years of marriage. The time has flown by like the blink of an eye. We’ve had our share of “ups and downs” – dark valleys and beautiful mountaintops. The pressures of tight finances, a special-needs child, and multiple miscarriages have, at times, strained our relationship. Exuberant joy also marks our marriage as we reflect on the warm memories of childhood laughter, fruitful ministry, and the excitement of serving on God’s mission.
One word leads the melody of happy matrimony: Faithfulness. Spouses can spew angry words. We may dig our heels in with spite. We might throw our hands up in the air with frustration about our children. But loving, undying commitment keeps us together. Yet this sort of stick-to-it no-matter-what does not arrive via a rah-rah speech or self-actualization but through God’s own faithfulness toward us.
As we arrive at the concluding act in the Book of Ruth,* the story poignantly unfolds into a marriage – a match ordained in heaven. But this narrative is not so much about the human romance between Ruth and Boaz, but about God faithfully loving Naomi back to faithfulness. Yes, Naomi, a woman who shouted in the village square that the Lord was testifying against her and afflicting her (1:21). She is beginning to believe again that God is intrinsically good and kind.
How so? Through her experiencing the faithful love of Ruth and Boaz, which of course was sourced in God’s chesed (loyal covenant love). So, we can echo what the village women tell Naomi in the final scene of this story, “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today” (4:14a).
Think about it.
How has God shown His faithfulness toward you through His people?
Pause for a moment and express gratitude to Him.
What step can you take today to demonstrate His faithful love to someone?
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*I’m currently preaching a series through the Book of Ruth at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Protestant Chapel service | February 2024.
We’re still having fun! | Michael and Stephanie circa 2023
