Orpah not Oprah...

I was reading the story of Ruth in the Old Testament. I was once again reminded of God's providence. Naomi, who was the mother-in-law to Ruth, had given up hope. She was in despair after the loss of her husband and both sons. So she tells her daughter in laws to go back home and find a husband. In the end Orpah goes back home but Ruth stays with Naomi, against her wishes really. Through Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi and her pure act of love to her mother-in-law and dead husband God is able to once again show how He has provided for us. So many times we are left in despair when someone dies, or cancer strikes, or a job loss. So many times we find ourselves like Naomi ready to give up. Ruth, who was a foreigner, not an Israelite, not a Jew, was the one to show more faith in this God then Naomi. I don't even think she would have known about the customs of the Israelites especially about the kinsman redeemer. Ruth had no reason to go with Naomi, but loyalty and love. Through this act, even though she may not have really known God yet, she showed that she was willing o place her trust with Naomi's God, the God of Israel. Ruth ends up with a wonderful husband, and Naomi is provided for through a relative Boaz.
That is Ruth's story, but what about Orpah? What happened to her? We will probably never know, but I think we can get a glimpse from our lives. I think we are like Orpah often. When things go bad, and we get the okay to back down or leave, what do we do? Many times we take the get out of jail free card, that we think we just received, and use it. We bail... Only to never find out what would have happened if we remained faithful. I am once again encouraged to trust God to provide. Trust God even when my sight and my friends are telling me otherwise.
The crazy thing is that thanks to Ruth's faithfulness, David, the greatest king of Israel was born. Ruth was the mother of Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David. I want to see what God has in store, and I know He will provide even when I mess up, and give up sometimes. However, I want to see what He had in mind all along. I want to trust Him enough to step out on faith like Ruth and rely completely on Him. Even when, especially when trouble and pain come my way.