READ: RUTH 1:1-5, 15-22; 4:1-15

When I’m anxious or overwhelmed or I feel like everything is going from bad to worse, I tend to look for the nearest exit door. I want out, and I want it now. Maybe you do the same. When life gets tough, maybe you escape by scrolling, snacking, sleeping in, shopping, or skipping school.

In the book of Ruth, life got tough for a man named Elimelek, his wife Naomi, and their two sons. There was a famine, so they packed their bags, walked out of God’s promised land in Bethlehem, and moved to an idol-worshipping land: Moab. But God did not walk out on them. He never does! His love went with them.

In Moab, things only got worse. First, Elimelek died, leaving Naomi with her two sons, who then married Moabite women. Then, about ten years later, Naomi’s sons died too. Brokenhearted and bitter, Naomi moved back to Bethlehem with one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth. Naomi was widowed, childless, poor, and sad. She blamed God for her misery. But God did not walk out on Naomi and Ruth. He never does! His love was still with them.

Ruth’s short book tells the story of the marriage between Ruth and a man named Boaz, her “guardian-redeemer.” When Boaz married Ruth, he bought (redeemed) the family land and guarded Ruth and Naomi by bringing them into his family and rebuilding their lives. Boaz’s love and kindness changed everything for them. When Ruth gave birth to a son, Obed, the women of Bethlehem said to Naomi, “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer” (Ruth 4:14). Ruth even became part of Jesus’s family tree (Matthew 1:5)!

In Ruth and Boaz’s story, we see a greater story—God’s love story for us. Jesus is our Guardian-Redeemer. He redeemed us with His precious blood, brought us into His forever family, and rebuilds our lives. When life gets tough, instead of looking for ways to avoid our problems, we can bring them to Jesus. He provides. He restores and rebuilds. He doesn’t walk out on us. No matter how big our heartache is, His love and kindness are still with us. • Lenae Bulthuis

• Can you think of a time when life got tough for you? What escapes did you turn to? How did Jesus provide love and kindness in that hard season?

• What are some of the hard things you’ve been going through lately? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about this. You can be honest with Him—He gets it (Hebrews 4:14-16).

“Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.” Ruth 4:14 (NIV)