You are not empty!

Based on Ruth 1-2, Psalm 49

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah."
Psalms 49:15

These are such profound words-ones that speak of God's provision, protection and saving power! These are not words of someone who feels empty, because we do not serve a God of empty promises! We WILL be redeemed & received when we turn to Him, and that's exactly what happened in the story of Ruth! Through her faithfulness, God's people were not left empty and abandoned!

"And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there."
Ruth 1:2

This was a family of God's people which left Bethlehem for Moab when famine struck. Famine was the first form of emptiness this family experienced. Naomi then lost he ere husband, and so this was the second layer of emptiness which Naomi experienced. Her 2 sons then married 2 women from Moab, which seemed promising, but after a while the 2 sons died too. Another layer of emptiness...But there would still be hope! Naomi would soon come to realize that she had someone with her God would use, and that she was never truly empty or abandoned. God WILL provide!

"Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread." Ruth 1:6

Naomi heard a word of hope, and she decided to follow it-all the way back to her homeland with the people of God. Although very distraught over her situation, she knew it was best to be around the people of God instead of the Moabites, who serve many gods. She told her daughters-in-law to go back to their homes, but Ruth was committed to the well-being of her mother-in-law:

"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." Ruth 1:14

A kiss goodbye is a nice gesture, but cleaving until someone, like marriage, is a great commitment! Orpah & Ruth spent about 10 years together according to Scripture-so they had all become a close family. They were good wives to their husbands, and Ruth saw the deeper purpose of her vows. She knew her life was not her own, and she now belonged with Naomi to help take care of her. God was using her to provide! In fact, Ruth repeated her vows to Naomi:

"And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" Ruth 1:15‭-‬16

Ruth did not go back to her old ways, old family, or old gods! She chose to serve the One True God and serve under Naomi, her new adopted mother, not just mother-in-law. What a sacrifice! But when they finally returned together to Bethlehem after the long journey from Moab, Naomi was greeted by people who questioned what happened to her, and she did not have the most positive spirit-she wanted to be called "Mara" which meant bitterness, speaking of how The Lord had dealt bitterly with her family:

"I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?"
Ruth 1:21

BUT SHE DID NOT COME BACK EMPTY! Naomi would soon go through a pattern of provision through Ruth instead of a pattern of layers of emptiness. She would soon see that God is still looking out for her & going to preserve her family in a mighty way!

"And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
Ruth 2:11‭-‬12

Ruth trusted God, and God led her straight to Boaz-a near kinsmen of Naomi's family! In the coming chapters of Ruth, this connection would prove itself to be very significant in terms of God restoring & providing for His people! Not only did he own a field in which Ruth could work & glean from the dropped barley to bring home to Naomi...but there was an even bigger aspect of provision which would soon take place...stay tuned for that!

"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

Naomi was not "Mara" any longer! She always wanted to stay under God's authority, but now she knew God still had good in store for her, even after a season of emptiness. In reality, Naomi was never truly empty. As long as there's God, there's hope! Thank God there was an obedient Ruth, because God would use her to provide for generations to come...and she served with a willing heart! So remember, you are never truly empty. Look at what you do have. Most importantly, look to God to provide in the areas where you can't! And MOST most importantly, if we have God, we have all we need!