7.17.2026 - Nate Triemstra

This week's devotions are written by Nate Triemstra.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Ruth 4:16 and 17

Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

If you have time, read Ruth 4.

Joy comes in the mourning. This is what Ruth and Naomi’s story tells us. Naomi lost her husband and sons. Ruth lost her husband. Naomi said that God was against her. They went through intense sorrow and struggle, and yet, God gave them joy. God brought food back to Naomi’s people, inspiring a desire within her to return home, to the promised land. God gave them each other, against logic, so that they might bring each other joy. Ruth humbled herself as a gleaner and provided for Naomi. Naomi assured that Ruth would have a husband, a provider, a kinsman-redeemer. God’s joy broke through a seemingly hopeless situation.

Joy comes in the morning. The joy of God was hidden from both Ruth and Naomi. It was nebulous at best. But then time passed, and God’s joy suddenly burst through. The night did not last forever, and God gave them the joy of a new child. I’m sure they still missed their husbands. Everything was not made magically perfect. But God gave them his joy, and it took the form of Obed.

God’s joy is always present. That does not mean we always feel it, or that we always see it. But we are assured that it is there, that it will come in the morning. Perhaps changing our perspective will help us see that joy. Perhaps taking action to participate in God’s joy is needed. Sometimes, maybe we just need to wait. The story of Naomi and Ruth reminds us that God has been faithful, and his joy will show up even in the most difficult situations.