Interrupted Grief

I have notice people walked through lots of grief lately.

In the family of God (Church), we are called to one another.

Sometimes we walk, sit, or just remind others that we are there for them.

Why is grief so difficult?

Grief = deep sorrow, especially that caused by someones death.

Grief is a long and difficult road.

God is even able to interrupt grief.

Read Ruth 1:3-8

Naomi, originally moved from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine.

Her husband and two sons had died.

Left with DIL’s, Orpah and Ruth.

Things had gone from bad to worse for this descendent of Abraham.

No heirs to help her support herself.

Strange land.

At her age, it would be difficult to remarry.

Famine ended. She decided to return to Judah. She wanted to deal kindly with her DIL’s.

They could return to family in Moab.

To stay in Moab meant to return to their own native god’s.

Read Ruth 1:12-18

Naomi was bitter toward God in her grief.

Despite what Naomi said, Ruth was determined to remain with her. She even swore an oath to remain with Naomi for life.

Ruth preferred widowhood and its challenges to abandoning Naomi or Yahweh.

Ruth made a complete break from her Moabite past.

Walking with my grandmother for 15 years as a widow. There was no magic word to make her feel better. We could just be there.

Ruth didn’t view Naomi as the pitiful widow.

She was her spiritual mother and Ruth wanted to honor her.

Even in grief, we can receive good things from the Lord.

Psalm 34:18 - “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.”

In our deepest sorrows, the Lord provides a deep love toward His hurting children.

He reminds us that we not completely alone.

The sun will rise on our pain.

We can step forward.

The story progresses...

Ruth meets a noble and prominent man named Boaz. Boaz was from her deceased FIL’s family.

God gives Ruth favor in the eyes of Boaz. They marry. Have a baby named Obed.

Read Ruth 4:13-17

Interestingly, the story ends with Naomi as the focus.

The women of the town rejoiced for this poor woman who had endured great bitterness such a short time ago.

They pointed out that Yahweh has been with her the whole time.

Having Ruth as a daughter was better than having 7 sons.

7 (perfection and completion).

in her lap, she held the grandfather of King David.

Grief can keep us from seeing the good God is doing.

Takeaways:

Don’t push away your loved ones.

Even in grief, life is not over.

Grief is not an exception to Romans 8:28

Jesus bore our grief on the cross. Lift up your eyes today.