Have you ever heard the whisper of wind through the branches of a pine tree? The other day I was out for a walk and felt a slight breeze on my face and heard its whistling whisper as it moved through the needles of a large pine tree positioned right by the road. I could not see the wind but I could see its effect on the pine tree as it gently swayed its branches. The result of the wind passing through the pine branches with their long needles was a soothing, almost musical song. I stood in the middle of the road transfixed, watching and listening to the tree dance and sing. It reminded me of how God works in our lives. You see we may not see Him, but if we pay attention we can see His action that provides motion and music all around us. A tree that does not bend with the wind will be broken under its pressure. In Ruth chapter two we see Ruth in a place of acceptance and submission in her situation. She does not remain bitter like Naomi, instead she takes the step of faith, seeking God’s provision of food (1-3). Ruth finds herself in a field belonging to a close relative and begins to see God provision (4-13) and blessing (14-16). Up to this point, Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law, has been in a bitter fight with God resisting His movement and work in her life. However, as Naomi hears of Ruth’s day and sees the abundance of her effort she credits God and for the first time begins to express hope (19-22). God will faithfully provide and give hope even in the pressures of perplexing problems. Like Naomi, the music of hope in our lives is best played as we submit to God and bend under His direction. When we do, we are able to sing a song of praise in the midst of pressure… just like a pine tree on a windy day.
For More see RUTH