"Marathoner Loses by a Mustache." So read the headline of a recent (1992) Associated Press story. It appeared that Abbes Tehami of Algeria was an easy winner of the Brussels Marathon--until someone wondered where his mustache had gone! Checking eyewitness accounts, it quickly became evident that the mustache belonged to Tehami's coach, Bensalem Hamiani. Hamiani had run the first seven-and-a-half miles of the race for Tehami, then dropped out of the pack and disappeared into the woods to pass race number 62 on to his pupil. "They looked about the same," race organizers said. "Only one had a mustache." It's expected that the two will never again be allowed to run in Belgium. (Source: Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute, Jan, 1992.)
We know the old adage, “cheaters never prosper.” Right? Well, this true story reminds us that the disobedient wandering path will prove undesirable, miserable, and full of regret. This also should remind us that returning to the Lord is full of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness! Come! Let us return to the Lord.
1. A Strong Stirring (v. 19)
“Is this Naomi?” This is the question Naomi hears as she returns home. She has been gone for over 10 years. She left with her husband and two sons. They left seeking better times and better provision, and now she returns not having found what they sought after.
Isn’t that so often the case when wandering away from the Lord? We leave God’s path believing it is a better, more pleasing path. We ignore the warnings in scripture. We choose to disagree with the sermons we have heard in church…and we rebel against our parent’s rules that are meant to point us to the Lord. However long we walk our wayward path, we eventually come to the same conclusion: God’s way is better.
Mankind will never find anything better outside of the Lord! “Yes, I know” – but is that what we are living when we say no:
…to God’s call to missions or preaching ministry
…to tithing or getting baptized
…to church membership
…to witnessing
…to coming to church
…to our role in the family unit
…to prayer
Let this stir our sleeping hearts to awaken and seek God’s path!
2. A Strong Response (v. 20-21)
“Call me Mara.” Naomi’s response was pointed. There was a great emphasis placed on the meaning of names during this time in history. The Israelites would name their offspring because of the meaning of the name. Naomi means “my joy, my delight.” Mara means “bitterness.”
Naomi is making her first appearance in Bethlehem…her poverty is obvious…no husband…no sons…and a Moabite daughter-in-law.
“…the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” Naomi continues her response with heart breaking clarification. This is because of disobedience! Naomi has been left alone to feel the full effect of their disobedience…but also note that her husband and sons are no longer here to receive blessings from the Lord. Only Naomi is here for such blessings after 10 years of struggle.
“…left full…returning empty….” The sad realty of Naomi’s last 10 years is summed up with a review of the day they left Bethlehem and the day she returns home. So, no longer call me joyful & happy, but call me bitter.
In the West Indies there grows a beautiful and attractive flower, but on being plucked it ceases to be beautiful, and emits a most unpleasant odor. It is called by the natives 'the dead horse'—about the best name that could be given it.—J. T. Mawson
It was helpfully stated in Hebrews 11:25 when Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Sin is full of pleasure…but only for a short time! But in the midst of sin, the believer isn’t thinking about the long term affects. Naomi has lived and is still living through the long term affects. What about us?
When lying to a boss or spouse for the third time — then dealing with broken relationships without trust
When cutting down leadership behind the leader’s back — then dealing with our own destroyed leadership
When trying out gambling, drunkenness, or drugs — then dealing with no money, no family, & no job
When choosing “innocent things” (sports, family, work) over God — then dealing with the guilt of sin and the misery of little relationship with God…and dealing with decisions made because idolatry led our way instead the Lord leading our way.
Don’t lose sight of the long term affects of sinful choices.
3. A Strong Contrast (v. 22)
Ruth is a Moabite…shut out by the Mosaic Law…she doesn’t seem to have a chance. All odds seem against Ruth and Naomi.
Isn’t that just like the Lord?! As far as the eye can see – everything seems to be against Ruth & Naomi, BUT GOD! His plan is to bless them!
Ephesians 2:2-4 – “Wherein time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desire of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us.”
I am told that one of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything else they can find in the water—even in a few cases small alligators! The alligator snapping turtle relies on an uniquely deceitful method of foraging for fish.
The turtle will lie completely still on the floor of a lake or river with its mouth wide open. At the end of the turtle’s tongue is a small, pink, worm-shaped appendage. The turtle wiggles the end of its tongue so that it looks like a worm moving through the water. When a fish comes to eat the worm, the turtle’s jaws rapidly close, trapping the fish so that it cannot escape.
In similar fashion to the snapping turtle’s lure, temptation comes in the guise of something desirable, but it always carries destruction with it in the end. If we could see the end result rather than the tempting part, it would be far easier to resist. But Satan knows this, so he cleverly disguises what is deadly in the guise of something pleasurable.
4 Choices to Avoid Wandering from the Lord:
While we desperately need to depend on the Holy Spirit to enable us by His grace to do His will – (FAITH! Rms. 5:2) – we must also make godly choices, yield our will, and act on our faith in God. Consider these essential choices:
1. Feed Yourself.
Daily Bible reading, prayer, and regular church attendance are not optional choices for the humble disciple of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Luke 18:1; I Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 10:24-25)
2. Lead Yourself.
Don’t rehearse your feelings. Rehearse truth. (Psalm 42; Philippians 4:8)
3. Protect Yourself.
First, take care what you allow in your mind. The battle begins in the mind – the mind is where the roots for the battle are planted! Your mind impacts desires…the desire will lead to choices…and the choices will form habits.
Second, “Birds of a feather folk together.” We have heard this familiar phrase many times – and it is true! Your closest friendships will reveal the condition of your heart and will impact your relationship with God. You have those close friendships because there is something in your heart that is like them and drawn to them (Proverbs 27:17; I Corinthians 15:33).
4. Renew Your “Self.”
Have you wandered? Have you chosen what you thought was a more pleasing path? Then turn your eyes once again on Jesus! When you turn to Jesus you will find:
…love replacing bitterness & resentment
…mercy replacing condemnation
…compassion replacing disapproval
…and forgiveness replacing guilt
Psalm 86:5, 15; Ephesians 2:2-4. The disobedient wandering path will prove undesirable, miserable, and full of regret…BUT, returning to the Lord is full of compassion, mercy, love, and forgiveness! Come, return to the Lord.