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The Lonely Frog


 

There was once a bullfrog that was feeling lonely. After an extended period of rejection, the frog decided to visit a fortune teller to see if he would ever find true love. The psychic studied the frog’s palm and then told him she had some good news: “You are about to meet a young lady that will take a very special interest in you. She is going to study you and get to know you in a real and personal way.”

 

“That’s great!” exclaimed the excited frog. “When will I meet this girl?”

 

“Next semester, in her biology class.”

 

Sometimes things can go from bad to worse in a hurry. The Old Testament book of Ruth opens on a bad note and gets even worse right away. The opening verse tells us the events took place at the time that the judges ruled and there was a severe famine in the land. That was bad. The time of the judges was characterized by the oft repeated phrase, “everyone did that which was right in his own eyes,” and the famine only added insult to injury. 

 

But then it gets worse. The third verse tells us “But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.” Two verses later we read that Naomi’s two adult sons also died, both leaving behind a young widow. One of those widows—Ruth—becomes the heroine of the story.

 

It is at this time when Naomi hits rock bottom that things are able to start looking up. Ruth could have returned to her family, but she chose to follow her mother-in-law. Part of her famous five-fold promise is recorded in v.16-17: “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried.”

She followed Naomi back to her hometown of Bethlehem, and there the story takes another positive turn. Ruth meets a wealthy entrepreneur named Boaz, and he becomes the second person who helps turn things around for Naomi. Boaz made sure that there was plenty of food for both ladies, and he looked out for them to ensure their protection.

 

Things had gone from bad to worse for Naomi, but she did not know that God was working behind the scenes. God was working, but He often works through people. Ruth and Boaz were the willing servants who allowed the Lord to use them to make a big difference. Maybe you can identify with Naomi, or even that soon-to-be-dissected frog. Maybe God is working on something for you right now. Pray that He would send a Ruth or Boaz into your life.

 

Christian, pray that God would use you like a Ruth or Boaz in someone’s life. There is likely a Naomi near you, and you might be the one God will use to turn things around for them.    

 

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