Love in the Midst of Lament

Rev. Dan Sung
Ruth 1:1-22

As we begin the story of Ruth, we are met with tragic loss. Naomi's husband and two children have died, and thus her security and future are all lost. In the midst of her lament, her daughter-in-law, Ruth clings to her. Ruth embodies Christ like commitment in the face of loss, which gives us a picture of hope, even in our darkest moments.

---

The book of Ruth recounts the story of a family who faces hardship and tragedy. Yet even when all hope seems lost, God is present. The beauty of the narrative of Ruth is that God’s love and care is on full display without any explicit miracle or voice of God. Instead, God displays his steadfast love (hesed) through his people. Even more, this narrative was a message of hope that God is not absent or sleeping — through Ruth, came David, whose lineage will stay on the throne forever.

As a church living in the 21st century, we can continue to extend God’s steadfast love to our community, that the world may tangibly experience the reality of God’s care for us that is ultimately found in his Son, Jesus Christ, the true King.