Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of June 13, 2021

Weekly reading: Ruth 1-4; Psalm 26-28
Passages referenced: Ruth 4:21-22; 1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 119:105I am sure I cannot be the only person who looks back on life decisions and plays out the “what ifs?” What if I would have gone to a different college? What if I wouldn’t have married my spouse? What if I had never met this particular person in my life? After reading the book of Ruth, I feel reminded of these thought processes.

Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi’s lives would have looked much different if Ruth had listened to Naomi and gone back home. David was a result of that decision. (see Ruth 4:21-22) I think about Ruth’s decision to stay loyal to Naomi. Was that a hard or easy decision to make? Was it easier for her to stay with her mother-in-law in that time of grief and uncertainty? Or was it actually a hard choice because going home would have felt safer?

Life is full of choices like this; some may be simpler and smaller compared to others. But each choice we make could lead to different results and paths. I sometimes question myself on how much thought I put into some decisions. Did I take the time to pray over it? Did I seek wise counsel beforehand? Or did I find it to be a thoughtless decision, too easy to even consider the consequences of my actions?

It is super easy in our culture to just float through life, making all of these choices without a real thought process. We can go with what we know, what feels safer or just easier. But could we possibly be altering our journey or even our destination and not even know it? Consider this concept when it comes to our relationship with others. We all have people in our lives who are not on the same path as us, maybe even a more destructive path. Are we being intentional with the decision to continue that relationship? Is that relationship starting to change our path in a negative direction? Or are we being called to be the light of Christ in their life?

Ruth married Boaz and gave birth to Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. David, “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) and an ancestor to Jesus, lived a life that had a major impact on the world, and his words are still read in the Bible today. The ripple effects of his life are not just from his story but his words as well, “Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.” (Psalms 27:11)

May our life decisions be bathed in prayer and may God’s word be “a lamp to guide [our] feet and a light for [our] path.” (Psalm 119:105) – Stephanie Cloud

• Check out The Bible Project’s overview video of the book of Ruth. It is an excellent source for background information and context that walks through the book’s sections and themes. It can be really helpful for those who appreciate some visuals while learning.

• Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.