A Way in the Wilderness
Sharon W. Betters
Today’s Treasure
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
As we wrap up our week with Barbara Reoach and our journey with Ruth and Naomi, let’s review some of the beautiful truths their story teaches us. Following is a tidbit from each daily devotional:
Monday:
Even if you have the worst initial impression of your in-law, God’s word gives us hope for change.
Sometimes we can be stuck in a rut of how we view someone, assuming they’re always going to be a problem. We replay the hurtful words or inconsiderate actions like a broken record. But today’s verse from Isaiah 43 challenges us to make a change. Instead of dwelling on all the negative interactions we have had, we are to make an effort to forget them, not even to consider them. We need to believe that God is doing a new thing, starting in our own hearts. He makes a way in the midst of our desert times and gives us reason to hope.
Tuesday:
Perhaps the dreams for your son (or daughter) to find a nice Christian spouse have evaporated. Maybe the two of them are now married, and you wonder, does this new spouse even belong to Jesus? All you can see is the brokenness. Will this new addition to the family draw your child away from the Lord?
Naomi’s life can encourage us. Her family had experienced so much harm. Some of this was due to bad decisions. And some was due to great loss that Naomi couldn’t have seen coming—things she didn’t cause. In every way, “pleasant” did not describe her life. Things looked hopeless. Whatever part she played in this tragedy; God never abandoned Naomi. Even in the painful loss of her loved ones, God was graciously making Himself known. When He called her back to Bethlehem, He was calling her back to Himself.
Wednesday:
Committed love—what is it? Ruth teaches us the hard truth: committed love is more than a feeling. For love to be true, it has to be fueled by commitment. And when we honor the commitment to honor our in-law no matter what, when we show up to what love requires regardless of what the other person is doing, this habit eventually pulls our feelings along toward true love.
Whether it’s an argument or harsh words, committed love has no room for endless exceptions. True love does not withdraw. Our commitment moves us toward the other person in hardship, not away. Love accepts inconsistencies. Ruth loved the real Naomi, not a dream of what she thought she should be.
Thursday:
No matter how the challenges are increasing for you and your in-law, none of it “just so happened.” God is the one behind the scenes, lining all the circumstances up just so. He is doing this to help you lean into Him. To help you learn how to love as He does. To change you into the image of his Son.
Friday:
Even the challenging, maddening, or complicated experiences with our in-law are opportunities for us to practice Jesus’ unfathomable mercy and love for those who seem like they don’t deserve it. God always weaves together every event in the lives of His people for their own sanctification and for His redemptive purposes in the world.
Ask God to increase your faithfulness to Him. Ask Him to build up a love in you that shows up and acts like Jesus no matter what. God will build your trust in Him and love for your in-law by giving you faith in even the most trying circumstances. God will meet you and impact generations to come in your family.
It’s appropriate that we end this week with the same scripture with which we started:
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Whether you are in a difficult “in-law” relationship or the Lord is speaking to you about another hard relationship or circumstance, this passage pulsates with hope. Barbara closed Friday’s devotional with these words:
“God transformed things for Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz—both in them and through them. God proved Himself able in more than they could have imagined—even in the seemingly random or confusing moments that “just so happened.” This is what God does!”
Friend, Barbara is so right. Look for His presence in those “random moments” and cling to the promise that He is doing a new thing, maybe in your heart, and making a way for you to reflect Him, even in those hard relationships. You can learn more at: Learn more at makingroomforher.com.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.