ARISE

Ruth 1: 6-13
Arise
Day 1:
Begin by inviting your Father into your study today:

Before you read, briefly summarize what has happened so far in Naomi’s life (Ruth 1:1-5):

Then read Ruth 1:6-7
Then she arose with her daughters- in- law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters- in- law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
Circle the action verbs in the passage. This is the first time we have seen Naomi take action. What did she do:

Why?

Where did she hear that “the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.”?

Why do you think we haven’t seen her take action until now?

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Have you ever felt sick from hopelessness?

What was a “tree of life” to you?

What do you hope for today? Tell Him all about it and ask for His help:

Then read these three passages, till your soul rests in them: Psalms 31:24
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalms 130:7
O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. Jeremiah 17:7-8
“ Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Day 2:
Read the above three passages. Then tell your Lord what’s on your heart today:

Then listen to His heart for you:
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Okay, let’s turn to Ruth 1:7
Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters- in- law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
Have you ever found yourself in Moab, a de-tour, a sin, and then, like Naomi, been stirred by enough hope to return to the Lord?

How was that journey “to the land of Judah”?

As Judah means praise, would you praise Him now calling you back to Himself:

Where are you in your relationship with Him?

If you sense any barrier at all, first tell Him or ask Him why:

Then listen to this:
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. How do you respond to Him today? Where are you opening the door for Him?

Psalms 45:10-11
Listen, O daughter,
Consider and incline your ear;
Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;
So the King will greatly desire your beauty;
Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
Day 3
Read Psalm 45:10-11 from yesterday again. Respond to your King:

Ruth 1:8-9a
And Naomi said to her two daughters- in- law, “ Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” What does Naomi wish for her daughters-in-law:

Actually, more than a wish, this is a parental blessing, almost foreign to our culture. It was instituted by God Himself, as He blessed His son and friend Abraham: Genesis 12:2-3
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
What do you associate with the word “blessing”?

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
“From barak; benediction; by implication prosperity — blessing, liberal, pool, present.”
Last week, we pondered the meaning of names. And here in Abraham’s blessing, we see that in God our names are great, because they are blessed and intended for blessing others. How do you enjoy blessing others:

That is a gift from God to those around you.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Lest any part of you doubt that Abraham’s blessing is for you, take this in: Romans 4:23-24
Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?
Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
Then this blessing to Abraham is to you.
Conclude by thanking Him and dedicating your life to be a blessing:

Psalms 16:7-9
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. Amen.
Day 4
Read Psalm 16:7-9 from yesterday aloud to Him. This is a powerful passage to memorize if you struggle with fear, insecurity, and fretting in any way. Try speaking it aloud to your soul next time you need to feel His Presence. For now, bless Him in your own words: I will bless You, Lord, who

Ruth 1:10
And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.” Have you ever made rash promises?

In what way do you struggle most with your tongue?

Ruth and Orpah had both just lost their husbands. In the end, only Ruth actually returned with Naomi to her people. Why do you think they both responded to her this way?

What are you prone to do when stressed or distressed?

Sometimes, it is very difficult to discern God’s voice from the voices of people we love or the expectations we may sense from them. How do you know the difference?

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
You are renewing your mind every time you open the Word of God. What is He showing you now:

Romans 8:27
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The Spirit is interceding for you now. What do you think He is praying for:

Romans 8:28-29
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Describe Jesus:

You are being transformed into His image.
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Day 5
As you are being transformed, transform this Scripture into a prayer in your own words: Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Ruth 1:11-13
But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go —for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” How would you describe Naomi at this point:

How would you comfort her?

To what does she tie hope?

Have you ever placed hope in a relationship or a circumstance, only to have it crumble?

How did you deal with that?
Job was a man who lost everything without ever going to Moab. Painfully, it’s a fact on this fallen earth that bad things happen to good people. “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” ( Job 2:9)
But his hope was not in the treasures he lost, which was everything and everyone, including his children. His response was Job 23:10
But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
What do you think he meant?

In what way are you being tested right now?

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
“Complete” means:” whole, entire; complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole of a body without blemish”
It is similar to Shalom, the ultimate well-being. That is what you are designed for and are being transformed into. You current testing is a tool He uses for that purpose. How will you respond to Him today: