Good, Kind, and Faithful

After her sons and husband died, Naomi had no reason to remain in Moab, so she decided to move back to Bethlehem. She just wanted to return home. When telling this news to her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, she wanted the Lord to “deal kindly with [them], as [they had] dealt with the dead and with [her].”

She used a Hebrew word that suggests being good, kind, and faithful. This summarized how Ruth and Orpah had treated her. And she prayed that God would treat them in the same way.

Ruth continued to demonstrate this same goodness, kindness, and faithfulness after she and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem. When Ruth began gleaning in a field owned by their relative Boaz, Naomi realized that God had been kind to them. She blessed God, using the same word she had used when leaving Moab (Ruth 2:20).

Later when Ruth revealed to Boaz that she and Naomi were his close relatives, he too reacted by blessing God. He told Ruth that she had shown kindness to him (Ruth 3:10), using the same Hebrew word previously used by Naomi.

The story of Ruth reminds us of why it is important to be kind toward others. How many problems would be avoided if all of us practiced goodness, kindness, and faithfulness!

Today, thank God for His kindness. Ask Him to help you to be kind, good, and faithful in your interaction with others.