The weather forecasters were right! We had a heavy spring snow. So today has been a “snow day” with the grandchildren. Debbie was working from home and only had to go out for emergency situations. I was able to get some work done in my office. The good news of the day was receiving my formatted draft of my book, that means I will be ready for the final phase leading up to printing.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied.”  Ecclesiastes 1:13 HCSB

Why am I here? What is my purpose? These questions frame the dilemma that Solomon is pondering as he writes this most interesting book in the Bible. As he looks around he views more frustration and points to discourage than to provide answers and give perspective.

It is not a matter of intellect or wisdom. Solomon the wisest of the wise says, “For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.“ (Eccl. 1:18 HCSB) Solomon observed that much of life is the same whether wise or foolish, rich or poor. So he concludes, “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.” (Eccl. 1:1 HCSB)

Solomon observes that time and generations come and go. All will die and all will be forgotten. Solomon found thousands of years ago what people experience today. Seeking wealth for satisfaction will leave you unsatisfied. Seeking fulfillment through achievement and pleasure seeking, leaves you empty and frustrated. Even seeking the grandeur of wisdom and knowledge does not fill the human soul.

Pleasure, passion, possessions and profession will all lead to the same conclusion,  “I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward.” (Eccl. 3:22 HCSB)  “Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.” (Eccl. 5:18 HCSB)

However, after all of his observations and reflections, Solomon comes to the final conclusion….

“So remember your Creator in the days of your youth….When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” (Eccl 12:1,13,14 HCSB)

 The Westminster Shorter Catechism written in 1646 and 1647  answers the age old question of Solomon’s with these words,  “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” God at the center of life is what gives life purpose. It is not found in money, pursuits, education, pleasure or education. That which is part of life and not bad  itself, does not bring satisfaction and purpose to life.

As Jesus prayed in His “High Priestly prayer” “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3 HCSB)

During this Easter Week, we are reminded that Jesus came to “show us the Father.” When we follow Him, we know who we are and where we are going and what life is all about.

Today after conducting some Bible devotionals at Morning Star Assisted Living, I headed back to the Capitol to testify on a “access to physical therapy bill.” The committee hearing on the bill took about three hours. I was the last to testify. I am pleased the bill passed on a 10-3 vote. Now on to the next step in a long process. Before coming home, I went by Christian and Bridget’s home to pick up the grand kids. They are on Spring Break and will be with us for a few days.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death.
If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, Lord.  When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalm 94:17-19 HCSB

In this Holy Week, we find that one of the last great miracles Jesus performed was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. We don’t know for sure the time gap between raising Lazarus and the meal at the home of Martha and Mary, we just know that the meal took place “six days before Passover” and just before the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Lazarus could relate to the words of the psalmist, “If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death.” Lazarus actually “rested in silence” for four days before he was raised. So great was this miracle people wanted to see him as much as Jesus. This miracle was also the “last straw” for the chief priests. We read of the crowd at the home of Martha and Mary…

“Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He was there. They came not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus the one He had raised from the dead. Therefore the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus also  because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.” (John 12:9-11 HCSB)

As I reflect on my health crisis journey, I’m not sure I can related to Job, but I can related to the words of the psalmist, “If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death.” I am thankful for the times that the Lord helped me in the midst of my crisis. This is especially true a little over two years ago when I went into septic shock while at home. That was a close to death that I can actually remember; at least some of it.

I can also related to the words , “If I say, ‘My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, Lord.'” I recall the fear of falling, knowing that I did not have the ability to support myself. This made me as much concerned for the  safety of those who were trying to assist me, as myself. When therapists were working on transferring me from the bed to a wheelchair, I would experience the sense of falling, and would express that. We can be confident that just as the therapist were there to reassure me and support me, so is the Lord with us in our times of trouble and instability.

Finally, we read of the Lord’s intervention into the depths of our emotions, “…When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Worries and cares about life, the future, finances, you name it can damper our joy and outlook on life.

However, in the midst of those worries and concerns we can experience the comfort that the Lord alone can bring. In those moments our sorrow, can turn into joy. The psalmist declares, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…” (Psalm 30:11 NIV) The prophetic declaration about the Messiah includes the words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem and performed miracles and taught His disciples, He was continuing to reveal Himself as the God who intervenes in the affairs of His people. He saves from death, He rescues and supports, He brings joy through the comfort He brings to lift us out of despair. I need a savior just like that.

Today, I enjoyed connecting for lunch with Pastor Steve Harris. I then traveled to Denver for a meeting on a physical therapy bill that I am working on. An accident near 6th Ave blocked traffic, so the highway traffic to the north was much lighter, which helped me to get home in decent time.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!” …When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that He did and the children shouting in the temple complex, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus told them. “Have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?” Matthew 21:10-11; 14-16 HCSB

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, it was a day that had been planned, it was a day of praise and it was a day of purity. Yesterday we shared about the preparations for this day.

Next we see it was a day of praise. The crowds quickly prepared and made provisions. Palm branches and coats on the road prepared the path for the King of Kings. This was a parade for one. In our modern day history there were Generals from World War II that were honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York. But this day the focus was on the General of the Armies of the Lord. He was celebrated for all the He had done, but He was also being celebrated in advance for what He would accomplish through His sacrificial death. He was the One who would save them, but not in the political sense they anticipated.

Crowds went before Him, crowds were behind Him. Those who saw and heard and felt the commotion asked, “Who is the?” The response was simple, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” We realize that the exclamation could have been greater. This is He who was from the beginning of time, this is the creator of the world, this is the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah”, this is the “Great I am”, this is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”, this is the “One who was, and is and will forever will be.”

The children joined in the praise. The religious leaders in their jealousy cried, “Stop them!” But Jesus said, “if they were quiet the rocks would cry out.” He also said, “Have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?” (Matthew 21:16 HCSB)

In a few days Jesus would be confronted by those who came to arrest Him. He would tell them, “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour–when darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53 NIV) But on this day, it was “Jesus time.” It was time for Him to be honored and celebrated.

This day was a day of purity. “Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves.  And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”   (Matthew 21:12,13 HCSB)

The crowds were soon aware that the “King was in the house.” This was evident by the parade and crowds shouting their praise, and miracles He performed. Jesus moved to the temple complex and “cleanses” the temple, driving out the money changers and those who were selling.

The worship in temple had been compromised by the commerce that was to facilitate the sacrifices. In the course of time that which seemed to serve a practical need overshadowed the true activity that was to be taking place. A place of prayer, solitude, confession and humility before the Lord, had turned in the hustle and bustle of noise and human activity. The psalmist declared…

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god….Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:3,4;9,10 HCSB)

We are to prepared our hearts, we are to open our hearts, to receive the One who can make us holy. As He becomes the focus of our lives, we place Him above all else as an act of our worship and devotion.

As we reflect back on the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we can look forward to the day when He will return. As we look to that day, we can be confident it will happen just as it has been foretold. It is a time for which we should plan. It will be a day of praise to Him who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” It is a day that we should anticipate in the way we live our lives, not being sidetrack or diverted from the true priorities for our life and worship. John declared,

“…we know that when Christ appears^, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 NIV)

Today I conducted the chapel services at Morning Star Assisted Living. After a rough night, I caught on some rest and am getting ready for a busy week ahead.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me...Then the crowds who went ahead of Him and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna to the Son of David! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!”   Matthew 21:1,2;9-11 HCSB

As we come to Palm Sunday, I am going to divert from my normal scheduled reading reflections to focus on this special time of the year. “Palm Sunday” as it is known is the beginning of the last week of Jesus life and ministry. He comes to the Holy City, knowing what was before Him. Could anyone anticipate that the crowds who cheered Him, would be some of the same who would geer Him and chant, “Crucify Him!” by the end of the week.

Jesus was aware of His call and purpose and what was in front of Him. Soon after Peter declared, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God” we read, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.“ (Matthew 16:21 NIV)

The day Jesus came to Jerusalem was a day that had been planned, it was a day of praise and it was a day of purity. First, it was a day of preparation. Jesus gave instructions to His disciples about securing the use of a “colt of a donkey” for Him to use. Jesus did not just say, “go find a donkey.” He told them exactly where to go and what they would find and what to say if they were questioned.

I was reading today about Samuel’s instructions to Saul when he was anointed the first King of Israel. They were filled with specific details that all came true. Jesus reveals Himself as a true prophet in the instructions that He gives His disciples. This wasn’t the first time. When He called Peter and John, He told them where to cast their nets to find fish. When Peter asked about taxes, Jesus told him, go to the Lake pull out a fish and in the fish’s mouth he would find a gold coin to pay the taxes.

The disciples had learned that you can trust Jesus’ word. How important is that for us to remember and apply that to our lives. As we prepare for the second coming of Christ we can be confident in following the directions of Jesus on how to prepare for that event.

The preparations for this event were not a “last minute” detail. We see that Matthew reveals this event was foretold by the prophets.

“This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell Daughter Zion, “Look, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” (Matthew 21:4,5 HCSB)

This time was planned from the foundations of the earth. That which had been foretold, anticipated and longed for was now coming to pass. At the time no one really understood. But now we can look back and stand in awe of the significance of all that was happening. What the Lord plans, He fulfills.

Just as divine preparations were made when Jesus was born, we see that divine preparations involved in His final week and His journey to the cross. We can also be aware that divine preparations have been prophesied, are taking place and will be made for Chris to return to complete God’s redemption plan. These “last day” preparations are events that Christ disciples today can participate in and fulfill.

(continued tomorrow)

Most of the day I spent at the Larimer County Republican Assembly. It was a large crowd and my first event of this kind to attend since our move to Fort Collins. It was good to see many people that I know and to meet some new friends. I resisted allowing myself to be nominated as a candidate for any office. I believe that is continuing evidence of overcoming the brain trauma I experienced during my health crisis.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” Ephesians 4:22-24 HCSB

“Change” and “new” are words that speak to life in Christ. When I was with Teen Challenge I talked about “transformation” not restoration. Restoration is returning something (or someone) to a former state. Transformation on the other hand is the manifestation of that which has never been. It is newness in fullness and all it is meant to be.

As I was reading Ephesians, I took note of the contrasts between the “old” life and “new” of the believer. Paul reminds these believers of the past and us today, of what we should “put off” and “put on.” Here are some of the admonitions…

“put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor…” (Eph. 4:25 HCSB)

“Be angry and do not sin…” (Eph. 4:26 HCSB)

“The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands…” (Eph. 4:28 HCSB)

“No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:28 HCSB)

 “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you…be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Eph. 4:32 HCSB)

“Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.“ (Eph. 5:4 HCSB)

“…you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.“ (Eph. 5:8 HCSB)

“Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.”  (Eph. 5:11 HCSB)

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—…” (Eph. 5:15 HCSB)

“…don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit…” (Eph. 5:18 HCSB)

We see the “Christ-life” is one that stands in contrast to the values of the world and what comes natural to the human heart. Our new life in Christ impacts how we view ourselves, others and our world. We gain insight into the conflict of the spiritual realm that provides wisdom for living and keeps us from “giving the Devil a foothold” in our life. We see that is what is in us is to emanate from us. That impacts our words and our relationships with others. We value others as the Lord does and understanding God’s grace that has been extended to our life, we in turn become “grace extenders” to others. I urge you to consider this list and what each statement means for your life.

I grew up in a Christian home and in an era where “separation from the world” and “distinctiveness” as a believer was view in terms of dress and activities. The guidelines Paul provides strike more at the real issues of what allow the life of those who follow Christ stand in contrast to the life they had known and how the “world” lives.

For someone who has spent most of his life with a calendar full of activities and very few nights at home, I can’t believe how I have adjusted to and enjoy a day without appointments and pressing activities. I guess that is what happens after spending several months in a hospital. So, this morning I worked on my state income tax return. I found out the “improvements” in technology turned a very “user-friendly” and quick process into a frustrating and laborious effort. So, I went “old school” and just used printed off the forms. We woke this morning to a spring snow with several an inch or so of accumulation. I was glad that I have felt good all day and got in a fitness center workout this afternoon.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 HCSB

I recall as a young teen working on memorizing these verses. I can still remember the “light going on” as I was trying to repeat the dimensions Paul describes and realizing Paul is describing being surrounded by God’s love. Perhaps we can even say it is a picture of being “suspended” in God’s love. Every possible physical direction is used to attempt to describe the vastness of God’s love.

God’s love is higher than you can see. It is wider and more encompassing than imagined. It is longer than the eye can see from the highest of heights. God’s love is deeper than any valley. What that means is, regardless of where you are, however you view your circumstances you are not outside of the parameters of God’s love.

The psalmist declared, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10 ESV)

Paul wrote to the Romans and said, “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:38,39 HCSB)

Paul’s prayer is for Christ-followers to “comprehend” the love of God and Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge. Human knowledge can’t know, carnal minds can not comprehend the love of God. But when we commit our lives to Christ in faith, we place ourselves in a position to know and understand to the extent possible God’s love and what it means for us.

If find that is a life-long journey. It is a journey that takes place in community. Paul says, “with all the saints.” God’s love is not something we just “learn”, it is something we experience. It is through our experience of God’s love that we come to know and understand God’s love for us and others.

Paul’s desire is for believers to be “filled with all the fullness of God.” I can not even begin to communicate what that means or would look like. But when the love of God that is surrounding us, is “in us” it transforms our lives and how we view ourselves, our world and others.

We returned to a touch of winter today. Cold with some snow flurries. After a morning conference call, I headed off to my Chiropractor appointment. Then before my afternoon fitness workout, Mike Patrick (Patrick Plumbing and Heating) came to give me an estimate on some work in our basement. I was delighted to find out that he not only has years of connection at  Timberline Church, but knew Debbie’s parents and had even done a service call for Debbie’s mom when she owned our house.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” Ephesians 1:3 HCSB

It is often easy to “gloss over” the opening verses of a New Testament letter and get to the “real” message. Perhaps I am just sharing my own pattern. I recall studying and memorizing many verses from Ephesians when I was a teenager, so I consider myself familiar with the text.

However, as I was reading through this book once again, these first few verses arrested by attention. Paul expresses his praise to the Lord for the spiritual blessings we have in Christ and then he shares some of those blessings in details. Perhaps it is good for us to pause and to understand those spiritual blessings and to give praise to God for what He has done for us in Christ.

We are chosen. “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (Eph. 1:4 HCSB) When God made Adam and Eve, He created them as holy individuals. That is, those who were “set apart” to know God and have fellowship with Him. Yet sin entered the world and broke that fellowship and created a barrier between God and man. Yet God from the beginning of time, worked through time, to make way for  sinful humanity to be “blameless” and set apart (holy) in His sight.

We are God’s children. “He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself…” (Eph. 1:5 HCSB) All are part of “God’s creation” but we become part of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ. God, once again, predetermined that through Christ sinful people would be part of God’s family, loved and accepted. Those who are children have special, “favor.” Paul says all this was “…according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:5-6 HCSB)

We are redeemed. “We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Eph. 1:7,8 HCSB) Redemption means to “buy back.” That is what God for us in Christ. Through Christ the curse of sin and death is broken, we have forgiveness of sins and His grace is provided in “lavish” amounts. He also grants us wisdom and understanding to see God’s plan and purpose for our life and the world.

We are heirs. “We have also received an inheritance in Him…” (Eph. 1:11 HCSB) An inheritance is the provision and blessing passed on to a future generation. In Christ we have the promise of a glorious future. We don’t have to worry about what the future may hold, it has already been provided for through Christ. The good thing is that we are already recipients of the inheritance that belongs to us through Christ.

We are sealed. “…when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance…” (Eph. 1:13,14 HCSB) A seal is the “mark” of ownership, it is a symbol of security. The power of the Holy Spirit is the evidence of God’s work in our life and through our life. It is a reminder that “we belong to Him.” It is the down payment of the glories that await those who place their hope and trust in the Lord. The best is yet to come!

We are chosen, children, redeemed, heirs and sealed by God, through Christ. To what end has all this happened? “…to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:14 HCSB) With all the challenges of life and the trials that can our way, we need to remember all the blessings we have in Christ. When we do, we have strength for all that confronts and assurance of victory through Christ.

Today has gone by quickly. But it has been one of focused work on my tax return for the year. I hope to finish up by tomorrow.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons.…After they lived in Moab about 10 years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two children and without her husband.” Ruth 1:3-5 HCSB

It is interesting what life can bring. What a difference a decade can make! I’m sure Elimelech believed he was doing the right thing to move from Bethlehem to Moab. There was famine in the land and even though the Mobaites were traditional enemies of Israel, he decided to seek refuge in their land.

Over the next ten years a family that took a trip to a foreign land, for a season, was reduced to a wife/mother and her daughter-in-laws. Naomi found herself a widow, mourning the loss of her two sons. No husband, no children, in a foreign land.

I have written in the past about “When the Unexpected Happens.” These turn of events for Naomi, turned a place of refuge into a place of mourning and bitterness. Have you ever known someone who made a “big” move with great expectations and soon they found that it just wasn’t working out? We see that in the beginning of this story.

Naomi did what was best, she resolved to “go home” – to return to the land of her family and ancestors. When she did the years and the grief showed on her countenance. “…the whole town was excited about their arrival and the local women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19 HCSB)

Naomi returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth to begin a new life. She left Bethlehem in a time of famine and she returns as a poor widow. She sends Ruth to glean in the fields during the barley harvest to have some grain for food.  She intentionally sends her to the fields of one of her husbands relatives, so she would be safe.

We see the Lord provides for them by Boaz the relative taking Ruth as his wife. The story ends with not just a “happy ending” but is significant because Ruth, the Moabite, becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

In looking at the events, the trip from Bethlehem (the House of Bread) to a land that was not only hostile toward Israel, but proved to be a hostile environment for the men of the household. I guess we could observe that a major life move needs considerable contemplation.

No one can anticipate what the future holds. As my friend Paul Irwin shared when he was with us recently, “life is a gift, life is precious and life is fragile.” Naomi found that out. Ten years can seem like a long time, but ten years in Moab was like an eternity, it changed life as she knew it.

When you find yourself in a “Naomi” situation, the best thing to do is to return; to go home. That is what Naomi did, that is what the prodigal son did. Naomi, even in her bitterness of what life had brought, choose wisely to return and reconnect with “her people.” This shows the value of relationships, family and familiar environments, of “home.”

Finally, I observe the Lord is able to redeem the events of our lives. The story of this book is to remind us of how the story ends, not what can be viewed as the poor judgment that lead to tragic circumstances. In our life, we need to have hope that however bad the circumstances can be, they can be redeemed by the Lord’s grace.

I’m sure it took some humility for Naomi to return home. She did the right thing and the Lord rewarded her right actions with a “grandson” she did not have. The women of the town now declared, “Praise the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel.  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”  (Ruth 4:14,15 HCSB)

When our decisions bring “what is not expected”, the Lord can bring to us “what is not expected”, as we trust in Him and follow His leading and see him redeem our lives.