There are many “˜turning points’ in a person’s life. Beginning a new school, whether in kindergarten, high school or college, these are turning points. Becoming a part of the work force, moving to another city or state, marriage, death of a loved one – all are turning points.
For followers of Christ, a turning point that is essential for eternity, is receiving the gift of Jesus Christ as Savior. Even as a believer in Christ (by receiving Him as your Savior), perhaps you have “˜lost your joy’. A turning point can be turning back and asking God the Father for the return of your joy. (NASB) Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation…”
Naomi had lost her joy in Moab when her husband and her two sons died. She became bitter and angry with God. When she and Ruth traveled back home to Bethlehem, Naomi proclaimed her bitterness to her friends and family.
Ruth had gone into the fields to harvest food for herself and Naomi. She went to the fields of Boaz that first day and had had a conversation with him and he had given her provision and his protection.
Ruth returned home after a long day in the fields.
(NASB) Ruth 2:19b “So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “˜The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.'”
***Naomi had asked her questions and then she … listened. She listened attentively. How many times do you and I ask a question and then don’t listen to the answer? Listening requires full attention.
Remember: Ruth had just returned from a long day of hard work in the fields, but she showed respect to Naomi by her willingness to listen and to answer questions.
(NASB) Ruth 2:20a “Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “˜May he be blessed of the Lord who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead.'”
***Naomi acknowledged God’s blessing on those who had died and on herself and Ruth. This is an example of the “˜turning point’ that Naomi had made. Her hope was stirred…she was turning from bitterness to a living hope.
You and I can make a similar choice in turning from bitterness to the living hope that is in Christ Jesus.
(NIV) Ruth 2:20b “… “˜That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.'” ***Naomi’s attention is not on her bitterness and life without hope, she has that “˜turning point’ of a new hope that has suddenly flashed into her mind.
Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer! A kinsman-redeemer was responsible for the extended family, to protect and provide an heir to a brother who had died or to buy back the land a poor relative had sold, among other obligations.
Today, family members often use various assisted living facilities to care for aged relatives. Customs within a society dictate the care of needy relatives. The customs change but God’s love does not. Israel had ways to provide for widows and orphans. Naomi and Ruth were both widows. And Boaz was one of their kinsman-redeemers.
Turning points are mile-markers in our lives. Many times we can remember where we were and what we were doing. Sometimes “˜turning points’ are long gentle curves that come, and looking back we see that we have changed our thinking and understand that our motives, too have been changed.
From what bitterness do you need to turn?
Perhaps you could say with the Psalmist
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation…”
Do you need to put a “˜turning point’ into action today?
