Tragedy into Triumph (Ruth 4:14)

“Then the women said to Naomi, blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel.”
– Ruth 4:14

Oh, Ruth 4:14 comes near the end of the book of Ruth. We talked on a previous podcast episode about the significance of this picture of a redeemer, and basically here at the end of the book of Ruth we see that God has done a total reversal. Think. It’s almost hard to even remember back to Ruth chapter one at this point, when Naomi was widowed and her two sons died, and she was left all alone with a Moabite daughter-in-law. The Moabites were despised by the Israelites.

Know that even through times of tragedy, loss, and brokenness, you can trust God. Suffering in this world will be far outweighed by glory that is to come.

There was Naomi coming back into Bethlehem with a Moabite daughter-in-law. No husband, no sons, no one to care for and provide for her or her daughter-in-law. Yet, three chapters later in Ruth 4:14 she’s surrounded by women in Bethlehem who are giving glory to God. Because of his provision for Naomi, because of his provision not just for her and Ruth, but now in a son born to Ruth. A son, whose line we find out at the end of Ruth four will eventually lead to King David, Israel’s most famous king, and ultimately lead to King Jesus.

This story, the end of Ruth, is a picture of how God turns tragedy into triumph. How God turns barrenness and brokenness into blessing. I just want to encourage those who are walking through difficult times right now, valleys right now, times even of tragedy, times of loss, barrenness, brokenness, hurt, pain. I just want to encourage you to trust in God in the middle of the barrenness, in the middle of the brokenness, the pain, the hurt, the loss, the tragedy. Trust in God. He is ultimately good. He will turn tragedy into triumph.

I honestly can’t guarantee you that’s going to happen tomorrow or next week, or next month, or next year, but I can guarantee that’s going to happen in eternity. We know, Romans eight makes clear that suffering this world will be far outweighed by the glory that is to come. We know. The words of Paul, the church in Corinth, light and momentary struggles. You look at some of the things Paul walked through. They didn’t feel light. They didn’t feel momentary. Not in the moment, but in the big scheme of things. God is in the business of turning tragedy into triumph.

The Cross Is an Example of God Using Tragedy for Triumph in A Mighty Way

This is the picture of the cross, the most tragic event in the history of the world, the crucifixion of the Son of God, the murder of the perfect Son of God, is actually the most triumphant moment in the history of the world because sin and death were defeated, and eternal life was made possible for all who trust in Jesus. You can trust in God to ultimately turn tragedy to triumph.

So God, I pray. I pray for those who are walking through difficulty right now. I pray that you would strengthen them. And I pray that you would help them to see your presence in the middle of pain and hurt, and your love in the middle of brokenness and barrenness, your strength in the middle of suffering. God, I pray that you would help them to hold on to hope, hope in you, that is sure. Hope in you that is confident.  That ultimately these trials will prove light and momentary, and eternal glory that is coming. Eternal life in you far outweighs

Eternal life in you far outweighs all the heaviness and all the pain now.  Because one day you will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and we will find ourselves glorifying you for the way you turned tragedy into triumph. God, I pray for that. I pray for that for people who are walking through tragedy, hurt, pain, trial today. In Jesus’s name. Amen.