"they went to the country of Moab"
Ruth 1:2
I love the Book of Ruth. It's a beautiful story of love and redemption. But a person can only been saved if they are in a helpless position. And indeed Ruth, and her mother-in-law Naomi, were helpless. The reason they are helpless, however, was largely due to the decision of Elimelech, Naomi's husband.
Elimelech and Naomi had lived in Bethlehem. But times got tough, as they sometimes do. There was a famine in the land. So Elimelech decided they should go live elsewhere ~ in the pagan land of Moab. The people of Moab worshiped many gods, one of which was Chemosh, a god for whom the people sacrificed children. That alone would make it seem that moving to Moab was not God's choice for Elimelech and Naomi. It was a human decision, not a Godly decision.
When times got tough, Elimelech and Naomi got going - but in the wrong direction. Their instinct in a time of famine was to flee. What's yours? God said in 2 Chronicles 7, "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, then, if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Whether the famine was brought by God, or allowed by Him, His desire was not for Elimelech and Naomi to pack their bags. He intends for us to walk through difficult times, not run from them... to turn to Him, not head to where the grass looks greener. The blessing is not waiting for us elsewhere.
You are on a road, and unless you are standing still ~ and we are rarely standing still ~ you are either headed toward Him, or away from Him. If you make a decision without seeking God's will, you stand a strong chance of going the wrong way.
~ "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths" ~
Proverbs 3:5-6
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