Hope in the Darkness

Provision in Times of Need

by Jeremy Johnson

A Man Named Boaz

Boaz is a remarkable example of a man who honored God in the way he lived. In the book of Ruth, his actions reflect God’s faithfulness and favor, even toward those who might not expect it. Sometimes, to understand how someone lives, we need to look at who they are and where they come from.

Ruth 2:1 tells us that Boaz was from the clan of Elimelech, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. While Elimelek left the land during a famine, seeking greener pastures, Boaz stayed. He endured the famine, trusting God to provide, and eventually, the land brought him abundance and wealth. We don’t know much about Boaz’s background, but his choices show us the heart of a man who knew how to do the right thing, even when it was hard. Boaz cared for others selflessly, even when there was no immediate benefit to himself.

We often see this kind of character portrayed in books or movies because it gives us hope that such integrity and faithfulness can exist today. Boaz’s life points us to the ultimate example: Jesus. Like Boaz, Jesus does the right thing in the right way, not for His own gain but for the sake of love. This is the hope we long for—not just in others, but in our Savior.

The story of Boaz reminds us that Jesus is our Redeemer. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, giving her a future and a hope, Jesus laid down His life to redeem us from sin. His love shows us how to live and how to love in a way that points others to God.

When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, Boaz’s story reminds us that God provides and remains faithful. Even when all seems lost, God is working behind the scenes for our good and His glory.

Take a moment to reflect: do you have people in your life who inspire you with their faithfulness and integrity? Who reflects God’s character to you? And how might God be calling you to be that person for someone else?

As you read the story of Ruth, may you be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and reminded of the hope we have in Jesus, our Redeemer.

Pastor Jeremey Johnson

by Jeremy Johnson

Kind God

Have you experienced a gap between what you know about God and what your feelings are telling you about Him? You might attest that “God is good”, but because of the current situation, you might not believe He is good to you. This happens when expectations aren’t met. We can feel let down, frustrated, and alone. This is how we first meet Naomi.

Naomi had a life planned out that included her husband, her two sons, and their offspring. In her imagination, she saw the blessing of God’s provision showing up for her through the men and the offspring they would produce. They would be the source of her life. The future she imagined it would be was ripped from her when all three of them passed away… as did her hope. She never imagined God would show His kindness to her in any other way, but she underestimated the love of God.

A vessel of God’s love for Naomi comes to her through the person of Ruth—her foreign daughter-in-law, now a childless widow too. In their time of grieving, Ruth stayed present with Naomi demonstrating a particular kind of love called “hesed.” In Hebrew, this love is difficult to describe without using multiple words of description. hesed is loyal, unfailing, loving-kindness, compassionate, strong, merciful, kind, steadfast, faithful, good, enduring, covenantal, gracious, and never-ending. All of those traits are true about God. What is also true is that we can pour out love for one another and be representatives of His love in tangible form. After all, from the beginning, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). For Naomi, the loving (hesed) actions of Ruth to choose presence and faithfulness ended up being a source of hope. And ultimately, leading to the source of all of our hope…Jesus.

Who has loved you in a weary time? Thank God for His provision through them.

Is there a gap between what you know about God and what you experience? If so, how? After identifying a gap, tell God. He can handle it.

Lastly, read again the definition of hesed which describes God’s character. Use it to speak the truth to your soul. It’s my prayer for you this holiday season that this story left for us so that we might know Him more, helps to build confidence that we belong to a kind God… one that always has good for you. May what you learn of Him through experience exceed your expectations.

Jessica Klootwyk
Discipleship Director

by Jessica Klootwyk

Honest Naomi

Ruth 1: 1-22

I don’t know about you, but sometimes when someone asks how I’m doing–the standard answer is “Fine, thanks.” Not always the most honest answer. In Ruth, we see Naomi, her mother-in-law being very honest about how she feels after losing her husband and her sons! She is not only unhappy, but she is bitter against God, and depressed about her circumstances and the future. But she isn’t faking it, she is being very honest. She feels God has betrayed her.

The Book of Ruth is a beautiful example of how God can turn a hopeless situation into something glorious. The story begins in tragedy – famine and the death of Ruth and Naomi's husbands. But because Ruth is loyal and faithful, God rewards her.

In her grief, Ruth chose to stay with Naomi. We don't know what kind of family support systems Orpah and Ruth had with their respective families in Moab. Maybe Ruth chose to stay because she knew she could find more comfort with Naomi and they could heal together.

Though Orpah ultimately elected to stay behind, Ruth's love for Naomi compelled her to stay. She gladly gave up her family, homeland, and chance at a marriage to follow Naomi and serve God. When Ruth expressed her unconditional love for Naomi, she received unconditional love in return.

Naomi tried to push everyone away in her despairing state, but God wasn’t having it. He had a plan, and Naomi was part of it despite herself in the moment. Can you look back at a dark time and see how God was faithful even when you weren’t?
2 Timothy 2:13 says, if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

I truly believe God would rather we be honest about our feelings, even if they are bitter towards him than try to hide our true feelings and be dishonest. He knew her heart before it was devastated by loss and grief and He has empathy for those hurting. Most of all, he saw Ruth’s loyalty and faithfulness and in the process of rewarding her, Naomi benefitted also. His ways are always higher than our ways.

Deb Hill

by Deb Hill

Be Like Ruth

In 1971, I was born to Don Robert Bundy and Betty Ruth Bundy. They named me Donielle Ruth, after my Dad (Don), and after my mother, whose middle name is Ruth. As a kid, I didn’t like my old-fashioned sounding middle name, but I’ve grown to appreciate its connection to Mom and a grandmother of Jesus-- shining women of strong faith.

Ruth was a standout, brave in difficult circumstances, she defied cultural norms. Listen to Ruth’s insistence with her mother-in-law Naomi. “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”

Ruth had reason to fear. She had lost her husband and was a foreigner; she surely lacked security and confidence about her future. And yet, she seemed to stare her fear down as she made a bold and beautiful promise to her widowed and devastated mother-in-law.

Words are cheap if insincere; if they are not followed up with action. Ruth promised Naomi that she wouldn’t leave her, that she’d always stay with her, even til death. So serious, she invoked the covenant name of Israel’s God—now her God too. Verse 18 says “Naomi realized Ruth was determined”. Her mind was made up.

In Matthew 21, Jesus tells a simple yet profound parable.

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
It matters more to God what we do than what we say. Words have power, but talk is cheap if our lives don’t match what we say we believe.

Ruth means what she says and says what she means. Though Ruth’s promise to Naomi is beautifully eloquent, what’s more admirable is that her walk matched her talk. Her character and integrity have been praised for centuries.

Be like Ruth.

Donielle Winter
EFCC Member

by Donielle Winter

Advent Begins in the Dark

Isaiah 9:2

Advent is not the same season as Christmas. There, I said it! I know we want to celebrate Christmas; who wouldn’t? Christmas is built around lights and joy. It’s the time when we celebrate the coming of our Messiah. However, before the church celebrates Christmas, we celebrate Advent. Advent is a season of waiting—a time of longing for light in darkness. Flemming Rutledge captures this truth with the words, "Advent begins in the dark." These five words remind us that Advent isn't about rushing to the brightness of Christmas morning. It’s about sitting in the shadows, recognizing the brokenness of our world and our need for a Savior.

The prophet Isaiah captured the heartbeat of our collective longing when he wrote,

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The people were walking in darkness, living under oppression, fear, and hopelessness. Their story is our story. Maybe you feel it in the ache of unmet dreams, the sting of loss, or the weight of injustice in our world. Darkness isn't just a metaphor; it's a reality that touches every human soul. That is the storyline of Advent, and it’s one we cannot fast forward through if we want to experience the joy of Christmas fully. Hope fulfilled is only joy-filled if we first enter the darkness.

We will get to Christmas, I promise. But, let’s first remember why we need Christmas; that is to say, why we need a Savior. The beauty of Advent is that it invites us to be honest about the darkness in our world and the darkness in our hearts. It doesn’t ask us to pretend or rush. It permits us to grieve, to hope, to cry out. The world isn't as it should be, but God is not distant. In Jesus, the light shines, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5).

Just as Isaiah declared good news, the promise of Advent is that light comes to us. We don't climb out of the darkness by sheer effort or positivity. Light breaks in—unexpected and unearned. This is the gospel of Advent: while we sit in the dark, the light of Christ comes near. As you enter this Advent season, pause in the dark. Reflect on where you’ve experienced loss or disillusionment. Bring those places before God. And then, with eyes of faith, look for the light. It may not always appear as expected, but it will come because God is faithful to His promises. Jesus, the light of the world, has come. He steps into our darkness to bring us hope, peace, and redemption. And one day, He will return to banish darkness forever. Until then, remember Advent begins in the dark.

Pastor Ryan Paulson

by Ryan Paulson