I could see my breath as I put on a second layer of socks. Two layers of pants were already on. Pulling on my gloves, I spotted the black beanie and put it on my head, ensuring my ears were covered. Grabbing my long winter robe, I left my closet. I returned to the living room and lay under blankets; being careful, our dog was nestled under but could breathe. The third morning of snowmageddon in Texas, still no electricity. I stared into the fire for a while, looked at my husband, and said, I am done, and we are leaving. We packed our bags and drove across the frozen iced-bound city to our friend's house. The warmth and light of our friend's home were a welcome relief.
Have you ever been a sojourner? I had when the entire state of Texas froze for a week in February 2021. A sojourner is a person who either temporarily or permanently resides in a place that is not their own and relies on the goodwill of others. And depend on is what I did.
When the book of Ruth begins, there is a famine in the land, and Naomi, her husband, and two sons leave for Moab in hopes of food and stability. While there, her husband died, her sons married, and then the sons passed away. Naomi was in a strange land with her daughters-in-law during a time when not having a man to provide for or protect them left women with very few options for survival. Naomi assessed her situation and then told her daughters to return to their families, and Naomi would go back to Bethlehem and hope for care from her male relatives, a sojourner still.
Ultimately, Naomi didn't travel alone, as Ruth came with her to Bethlehem. Ruth and Boaz marry, and they have a son. Naomi is now a grandmother. Then the midwives said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." (Ruth 4:14-15, ESV)
Naomi's future was secure, and she had a grandson who would be the heir of her late husband, Elimelech. God restored her hope, family, and future through her grandson Obed. Naomi was a sojourner no more. Or was she?
While Naomi was secure from a worldly perspective, she was still a sojourner, as she continued to need God. Just like Naomi, no matter what we possess in this world, we will always need God's grace, mercy, and care. The remarkable thing is God provides abundantly for His children, as seen in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (ESV)
Prayer: Lord, help us rely on you and trust for your provision.
What area of your life do you need God's help with? Bring it to Him in prayer this week.
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