Redemption Was Already Growing

God may allow the famine, but He never abandons His people in it.

After the Amen

A Four-Week Journey Through Ruth

Over the next four Sundays, I wanted to try something a little different here on Grit & Wit.

Our church is walking through the book of Ruth, and each week after the service, I’ll be sharing a companion devotional tied to that morning’s sermon. Think of this less as sermon notes and more as carrying Sunday into the rest of the week.

Because if we are honest, most of us need help connecting what we hear on Sunday morning to what we live on Monday afternoon.

This week, David Nasser taught through Ruth chapter one and reminded us that even in seasons of famine, loss, disappointment, and silence, God is still building redemption.

Sometimes the black velvet comes before the diamond.
Sometimes the famine comes before the harvest.
Sometimes the test comes before the testimony.

But God is faithful through all of it.

READ IT—Ruth 1:1-22

This morning at church, David Nasser walked us through Ruth chapter one, and one of the things he said immediately grabbed my attention.

He called Ruth chapter one “the black velvet before the diamond.”

I thought that was such a powerful picture.

In movies, when someone opens a bag of diamonds, the first thing you usually notice is the black velvet surrounding them. The darkness comes before the brilliance. The contrast is what makes the diamond shine even brighter.

Ruth chapter one feels like that black velvet.

Famine.
Loss.
Grief.
Disappointment.
Questions.
Silence.

But hidden inside all of that darkness, God was already building redemption.

You can watch this week’s message here:

When God Feels Quiet Ruth 1 with David Nasser

OWN IT

David also pointed out something I had never really thought deeply about before.

Elimelech left Judah during the famine and traveled to Moab searching for life and provision. Ironically, he left in order to live, yet he and his sons ended up dying there.

That hit me.

Especially when David described the famine in Judah almost as a form of pruning. During the time of the judges, God’s people were spiritually wandering. Things were messy. People were rebellious. Yet sometimes God allows pressure not to destroy His people, but to draw them back to Him.

Unfortunately, most of us do not listen very well when life is easy.

God often uses tests before testimonies.

That reminded me of a season in my own life a few years ago that I’ve shared about before here on Grit & Wit.

I applied for a job I desperately wanted. In my mind, God and I were completely on the same page. Looking back now, I realize I was mostly telling God what I wanted instead of actually asking Him what He wanted for me.

Then I did not get the job.

For a few days afterward, I was frustrated and disappointed. I remember thinking, “What the world, God?”

I felt unheard.

But eventually God opened another door that ended up being far better for me and my family. Instead of driving thirty minutes one-way every day, I now work from home in a role that actually uses not only my educational background, but also the managerial experience I had built over years in retail.

God knew what I needed better than I did.

Funny how often that happens.

One thing I love about Naomi in Ruth chapter one is this: even in her pain, she still called Him “the Lord” and “the Almighty.”

She was hurting.
She was bitter.
She was confused.

But she still knew where her hope ultimately rested.

That matters.

Because sometimes faith is not pretending everything is fine.
Sometimes faith is dragging your exhausted heart back to God anyway.

David also said something else that stuck with me:
“Loyalty reveals the character of a friend.”

Ruth stayed.

Not because it was convenient.
Not because there was something to gain.
Not because the future looked promising.

She stayed because Naomi had shown her something real about God.

That made me think about my friend Mateo.

David described “deal friends” as people connected mainly by circumstance. You work together, live near each other, or share hobbies, but when life changes, the relationship fades.

A real friend stays.

During a difficult season at work, Mateo not only stood beside me, he spoke up for me without even being asked. That is the kind of loyalty Ruth showed Naomi.

Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply being present.

Not fixing.
Not preaching.
Not having all the answers.

Just sitting beside someone in their pain with your hand on their shoulder letting them know they are not alone.

Ruth had no idea her small act of loyalty would become part of a much bigger redemption story. The beautiful part of Ruth’s story is that this grieving Moabite widow eventually becomes part of the genealogy of Jesus Himself.

Nobody in chapter one could see that coming.

Naomi could not.
Ruth could not.
The people around them could not.

But redemption was already growing long before they recognized it.

And maybe that is true in your life too.

LIVE IT

Are you walking through a difficult season right now?

Does life feel disappointing, confusing, silent, or uncertain?

Maybe what feels like a famine is actually God drawing you closer to Him.

Pay attention this week to the quiet blessings we often overlook:

• faithful friends,

• encouraging words,

• family gathered in the next room,

• daily provision,

• peace in ordinary moments.

The hard things in life tend to be loud.

But God’s blessings are often quiet.

Do not miss them.

DINNER TABLE DEVOTIONALS

1. Can you think of a rough time our family went through that later turned into something good?

2. What makes someone a real friend instead of just a “deal friend”?

3. Have you ever felt disappointed because God answered a prayer differently than you expected?

4. Why do you think God sometimes grows us most during difficult seasons?

PRAY IT

Lord, help us trust You during seasons where life feels uncertain or painful. Remind us that Your presence does not disappear during hard times. Help us recognize the quiet ways You continue providing, sustaining, and redeeming even when we cannot yet see the full picture. Thank You for always giving us what we need, even when it is not what we originally wanted. Amen.

---

Next Sunday in After the Amen
We’ll continue our journey through Ruth as we step into chapter two and begin to see how God often provides hope in ordinary places and through unexpected people.

Sometimes redemption starts with something as simple as showing up in the field one more day.

See you next Sunday.