by John O’Malley
“And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen” (Ruth 2:20).
“Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi’s words in this sentence indicate the liberation of her spirit and a certainty of hope for the future. For the second time in as many verses, she recognizes that God’s goodness has returned to her life and she offers praise to God for not leaving off His kindness.
She remarked that God’s kindness had been extended to both the living and the dead. God’s love, when it takes action, is seen in His deeds of kindness. If love had feet and hands, they would be named kindness. God’s kindness changed Naomi’s perception.
Naomi learned that:
His kindness turns bitterness into blessing.
His kindness exchanges barrenness for bounty.
His kindness replaces affliction with affection.
His kindness drains hopelessness from the heart and refills it with hope.
Naomi’s worship in this moment of blessing teaches us that God’s kindness is not limited solely to those who walk this sod. His kindness can be extended to those who have passed from the earthly life also! “His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136).
Naomi recognized that God’s kindness had remembered her husband who had erred in leaving Bethlehem-judah. She appreciated how God’s kindness remembered Mahlon who had made a mistake by staying in Moab. She discovered God’s kindness had touched Ruth in redeeming a Moabite to carry on the family name of Elimelech. She finally recognized that God’s kindness touched her life both in Moab and in Bethlehem-judah.
This lesson would be enough to help a believer to recognize the merciful kindness of God if considered on its own merit. Yet, when you consider Naomi’s worship, it touched more than those who were in the room and those who read its account. Ruth’s great-grandson David spent many days recognizing the mercies and kindnesses of God throughout the Book of Psalms. Always remember that just as Naomi set a pattern for David, your worship is setting the pattern for those who follow in days to come.
Take a moment today in your personal worship to our God to identify his kindness to you. Look in your heart, and then check your home for portraits of His kindness. God’s kindness must be reviewed often. Otherwise, we will become accustomed to it and undervalue its worth. When you have taken inventory of His kindness, show the list to those who make up your family and establish a pattern of worship for them.