Transformation Series Episode 17

Transformation Series Episode 17

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The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Hello, my walking friend! Walking is such a super beneficial exercise. If you are able to walk outside, you have the added benefit of being in God’s creation, which does so much for our minds and emotions. And don’t diminish the benefits if you can only walk for these 10 minutes. Even 10 minutes of walking has a positive effect on your health! You can always increase the amount you walk – but the most important thing is that you are doing something! As the Lord said to Nehemiah, don’t despise these small beginnings! So, way to go, friend!

Today is the 17th episode in the transformation series and our verse to meditate on is from the book of Ruth chapter 4 verses 14-15 (NIV):
The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Have you read the story of Ruth and Naomi? If not, let me give you a quick recap. Naomi was a Jewish woman who moved away from Israel to a neighboring country with her husband and two sons. They were trying to escape the famine in Israel and have a better life. Her sons married Moabite women, women who didn’t share their Jewish faith. Years after being in Moab, Naomi’s husband and both sons die. She decided to head back to her homeland and Ruth, her daughter-in-law, insists on going back with her. Ruth tells Naomi, Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

So, my walking friend, you have two more walking friends in Ruth and Naomi! The walk from Moab to Israel was not easy and it would have taken them 7-10 days of walking to get there. And once they got to Israel, they had nothing and no one to provide for them – nothing except their faith in God. And it is their trust and faith in God and their obedience that takes them from being basically homeless and picking up wheat scraps for food to a life of abundance. There is a whole love story that happens in between, and I encourage you to read the Book of Ruth because it is a beautiful story of transformation, renewal, and redemption. A foreshadowing of the beautiful story of Jesus in our lives because our stories are also ones of transformation, renewal, and redemption. But Naomi and Ruth did their part, too – like I said, they trusted God, they obeyed his commands, they had faith that he would provide.

Are you really seeking renewal, restoration from the years the locust have eaten, as the prophet Isaiah says? If so, then start by emulating Ruth and Naomi- trust Jesus. Obey him. Put your faith in him. When we do that, we will reap the rewards of renewal, just like Naomi and Ruth.

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on today’s verse,
Ruth 4:14-15:
The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection.

What helps you trust Jesus when you are feeling discouraged and doubtful? Is it his faithfulness in the past or promises in his word? Think of those things now.

How does faith in Jesus renew your life? Consider your answer now.

God completely transformed Ruth and Naomi’s life and provided them with an unbelievable inheritance – a son and grandson named Obed who would one day be the grandfather of King David. God has given us an unbelievable inheritance through that same genealogy – our redeemer, Jesus. How does that make you feel? In what ways has Jesus transformed your life? Take some time to consider that now.

Now let’s listen to today’s verse one last time:
Ruth 4:14-15:
The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the Bible. Thank you for revealing yourself throughout scripture and through the lives of the saints that have lived before us. Thank you for sharing the story of Naomi and Ruth. Their witness of love, faithfulness, trust, and obedience are an inspiration to us. Help us to trust in you the way they did. In the midst of our own struggles, increase our faith. Give us the strength and wisdom to always obey your commands. Thank you, Jesus, for being our redeemer and for being the one who brings renewal. Like Naomi and Ruth, we praise you. We love you and we are so grateful that you walk with us always. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, our redeemer and the one who renews us everyday. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today.

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our process of transformation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.