When Eternal Provision is Found in the Daily Bread

Guest Post By Linda R. Johnson

Give us our needed bread for each day.” Luke 11:3 (Darby Bible Translation)

It’s difficult to imagine being pressed between a rock and a hard place when the welfare of your family is at stake. From an aerial view, it may not have been the best choice, and they were likely met with a lot of opposition from those who loved them. 

Elimelech (“my God is King”) and his wife, Naomi (“pleasant and delightful”), made the hard decision to transplant their lives into Moab, a country where their God was not welcomed or worshipped, in exchange for a possibly brighter future escaping the famine in their hometown of Bethlehem (“house of bread”).

I’m sure that Elimelech and Naomi had sleepless nights over the debate in their hearts to enter and dwell within a known pagan country.  Maybe they thought their relocation would be temporary – just a few seasons, until things turned around in Bethlehem.  But that was not apparently how things rolled out.

  • Do you think that Elimelech and Naomi gave much thought about the pagan environment that they would be settling in? 
  • Could they have debated over this, only to have the visions of their young sons dying of starvation from famine swirling around in their head?

The family of four lived in Moab until the two sons were adults and married. 

After some time had passed, Elimelech died. Then both of her sons died, leaving behind their wives. Here they were, three widowed women under the one roof, with no secure means of any future. 

It was time for another hard decision.

As the now head of the household, Naomi gathered her daughters-in-law, Orpah (“neck”) and Ruth (“compassion”) for an intimate conversation about the reality of life. With only the best interests for these young women, she encouraged both of them to return home to their families and to move forward with their lives.

Both young women were brokenhearted over the finality of the decision. And at first, neither thought it would be the right thing to do. But after Naomi had shared with the two about the advantages of returning home to start over and continue living their lives, Orpah’s longing for comfort and familiarity drew her back to her former life in Moab. Ruth, however, had a different response. 

  • What do you think persuaded Ruth to cling to Naomi and her God?
  • How impactful was Naomi’s relationship with God that it made an impression on Ruth?
  • What need did Ruth seek to fill that was unmet by returning to her old life?

This inseparable pair set out to re-enter Bethlehem.

As only God would have it, Ruth finds favor among those with whom she is working in the grain fields. It is harvest season, and not only does Ruth secure a means for surviving, but also redemption covers her and the situation.

In this town where her Redeemer would ultimately come forth, Ruth finds her physical redemption in the saving kinsman redeemer, Boaz (“man of valor”).

Boaz becomes the legitimate covering whom Ruth is in need of.

Is it any wonder that this journey would circle back to Naomi’s roots where God had initially made Himself known to her, to later do the same for an unsuspecting Ruth?  Could the famine within Ruth’s own heart have led her to the true House of Bread for restoration and fulfillment?

Jesus, our Redeemer King and manna from heaven, would emerge from this House of Bread, through this very lineage that would feed into the line of King David. 

While we reach for daily sustenance in the form of temporary physical satisfaction, let’s not stop there. Jesus said that His food was to do the will of God and accomplish His works, John 4:34.

Jesus Christ, our daily bread from heaven, never runs out and is not limited to seasons or access to man. He is ever available. Always inviting. Not wishing that any would go spiritually hungry. He came to be our provision and redemptive covering.

Come, eat, and be satisfied.

Linda Johnson, Guest Writer

Linda is a daughter of the King of Kings, wife, mother of 3 adult children, and “Lōlie” to her only granddaughter. Her passion is to connect with women of all ages and to mentor the “Ones Coming Up Behind Her,” so that they may embrace their identity in Christ, living life to the fullest.

She is a writer, speaker, Bible Study leader, Stephen’s minister, and lover of a great cup of coffee. She blogs at Titus-Two.com.

11 responses to “When Eternal Provision is Found in the Daily Bread”

  1. […] When Eternal Provision is Found in the Daily Bread — Walking Together in God’s Promises […]

  2. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Applying how we regularly seek to satiate our appetite for delicious food, should be how we frame our appetite for spiritual satisfaction and then some. The beauty is that the desires that are of Him, are always in season & available in abundance thus should always be our appetite for more.

    1. possesshispromises Avatar
      possesshispromises

      Thank you, Melissa, for this reminder. I find that as I feed on the Word of God, I hunger for even more and more. I never become satiated with the Word of God–I always want more, unlike with food. May you always hunger for more of the Word and Jesus our Bread of Life. Many blessings, Karen

  3. Debbie G. Avatar
    Debbie G.

    God is the one who brings us satisfaction and fulfillment of our needs. Thank you for this reminder and your words of wisdom Linda. 💕

    1. possesshispromises Avatar
      possesshispromises

      Debbie, I will pass your sweet feedback on to Linda. May the God of all provision richly bless you. Karen

  4. Veronica Arevalo Avatar
    Veronica Arevalo

    How impactful was Naomi’s relationship with God that it made an impression on Ruth?

    I believe Naomi’s life was a testament to Ruth; the very act of faith to move to a land unknown shows strength not everyone possesses. Much is said about her raising sons that married “unbelievers”, but it says something to me that the way she lived her life, and raised her sons, left one daughter-in-law with a desire to learn more about life with God.

    To me, she got a glimpse of that God while married, but got to experience deeper faith when living with Naomi.

    She was hungry for more of that God who gives strength to a woman with few choices, who creates joy in the midst of change and turmoil. Even the conversation Naomi had with the woman reflects faith and strength. She could have had very different and selfish conversations with the women, “you have to take care of me,” or, “you have to make sure I get back to my homeland safe.” But Ruth didn’t need people, she had God and knew it.

    What a wonderful reminder of faith in action!

    1. possesshispromises Avatar
      possesshispromises

      Veronica, What beautiful insight you have. May the Manna from Heaven feed your soul throughout this Christmas season, Karen

  5. Kathy Glor Avatar
    Kathy Glor

    Wonderful!! Amen, Sister! I love the story of Ruth & Naomi. Ruth is one of my favorite OT books and you have told it beautifully ❤️

    1. possesshispromises Avatar
      possesshispromises

      Kathy, Ruth is very special to me as well. Faithful Ruth, a Moabite, listed in the geneology of Jesus! What an honor! May the Bread of Life fill you with wonder as you contemplate His gift of life. Karen

      1. Sharon Avatar
        Sharon

        Linda, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful devotional on Ruth and Naomi. The Bread of Life providing for them in many ways as the story unfolds so beautifully. That’s just like our Heavenly Father to take care of all of our needs and orchestra our lives in ways that we could never have imagined.

        1. possesshispromises Avatar
          possesshispromises

          Sharon, Linda has given us great insight, and I will be sure she receives your comment. May the Bread of Life bless you with deep nourishment and satisfaction as you meditate on His gift of eternal life. Karen

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