Imagine a spy movie. A trainee is a son of the director of a super secret, lethal agency. The training is hard and painful. In one scene, the trainee faces several instructors who just starts beating him. Even after a while, the beating doesn't stop. The pain is excruciating. He's confused and angry. Then he spots his father, standing in the far corner, his arms folded. No intervention. No help. The most difficult area in Christian faith is understanding and dealing with tragedies in life. Some say it's God punishing us. Others say it's God disciplining us. Maybe there's some unknown purpose in this. Maybe God is just making me strong and testing my faith. I am angry but I should be thankful... and sing "Blessed Be Your Name... You give and take away." After all, it's the human doing. It's the disease. It's the criminals, bad people, bad politicians, and my mistakes. But why couldn't God interfere and help? Where is the hand of providence, the outstretched arms? The book of Ruth is like Esther about ordinary people dealing with ordinary things in life and achieving greatness. It begins with all tragedies and no apparent hand of providence, yet. I think you get where this might be headed. But for now come join in and let us wrestle with the chapter 1 of Ruth.