Bible Reflection – Trust in God

Want to meditate, but not sure how?

Trust in God – Meditation guide

When Ruth followed her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem, she surrendered herself to an unknown future, but she did so because she trusted two things:

• Naomi, with whom she had developed a loving relationship, and
• Naomi’s God Yahweh – I AM WHO AM.

Trust God: Ruth and Naomi
journey to Bethlehem

Ruth trusted Naomi because the two women had a shared history and loved the same people.They had seen good times and bad times together. Ruth knew Naomi was no fool, and that Naomi loved her.

Perhaps she felt she owed it to her dead husband to look after his mother – we are kept in the dark about the relationship between Ruth and Naomi’s son. The Bible story tells us nothing.

But more importantly, Ruth also trusted God to protect her – not from harm or worry, because that comes to everyone. God does not shield us from these things. We do not live in a cocoon simply because we trust in God. But Ruth said: whatever happens, I know it is God’s plan – even if I do not understand it. I hand my future over to God.

The result? Ruth was a foreigner, a woman, a widow without children – and thus a second-class citizen in ancient Israel. Despite these handicaps she won through, and the story ends by describing her as ‘better than seven sons’ to Naomi – the highest praise the writer could give.

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The Bible likens God to a hen
that fiercely guards its chicks

The Bible Text

‘Where you go, I will go; 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.’ (Ruth 1:16-17)

You’ll find the full Bible text of Ruth’s story HERE.

Questions

• What are you worried about?
• What things in your life frighten you, or seem out of your control?
• If they are out of your control, why do you keep trying to control them?
• Could you let them go?
• Could you say ‘Here is what I can do. Here is what I can’t do. Now, Lord, give me the courage and the trust to let you take over. The future is in your hands.’

Mediation Exercise

• Read the Bible text above, and think about it. Could you hand over control the way that Ruth does?
• Pray. Ask for God’s help.
• Read through the questions. Decide if they apply to your own life, and what you can do about it.

See Bible Women: Ruth for her full story.

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Trust in God: guided meditation or reflection for Bible Study groups, using the story of Ruth and Naomi