For those who often feel forgotten, it is good to be reminded that our God doesn’t forget us. In this brief topical study, we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God that He remember them, and we see what He did in response to their cry.

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If you ever struggle with feeling forgotten, it’s good to remember that our God doesn’t forget us. God has promised to never leave or forsake us.

As we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God and we see that He remembered them, we get a beautiful picture of how God hears our cries and remembers us.

How could trusting that God hasn’t forgotten you help you, especially in your times of trials?

Reflect

• How does Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 comfort you knowing that God remembers you even in your pain, sorrow, and heartache?
• How does Samson’s story found in Judges 16 encourage you that God remembers you even in your times of weakness and failure?
• How does the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 encourage you that Jesus remembered you when He was on the cross?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You always remember me and never forget me! Help me to trust that You are always with me. Help me to know You are near no matter what trials I’m facing.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Discover the Word Podcast Archive

Listen:

• In God's Presence
• Are You There God? (with Sally Lloyd Jones) on God Hears Her Podcast
• The Rebel Next to Jesus

Read:

• Where Is God When I feel lonely?
• Answered Prayer | Hannah
• When You Pray and God Doesn’t Answer: 4 Simple Things to Practice

Watch:

• Where Is God? - Psalm 25:6
• Let's Talk About Prayer

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.

As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth.

Reflect

• How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7?
• How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God?
• How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23?
• How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13?
• Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22, how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gospel of Ruth

Listen:

• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting
• God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God

Read:

• Transformed by Love
• Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

Watch:

• God Loves YOU!
• God's Daily Love

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

Receive

What do we do when life doesn’t follow the Cinderella script? How do we respond when the life we get doesn’t seem to have the happily-ever-after ending that we hoped for?

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But there’s so much more to the story than meets the eye. As we dig deeper into the stories of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we get a picture of God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how He calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

How can the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz encourage you as you face hardships in your life?

Reflect

• Based on Ruth 1:1–5, how is Naomi’s story similar to Job’s story of suffering? How was Naomi’s situation perhaps even more dire than Job’s?
• How does the end of Naomi’s story in Ruth 4:13–17 remind us that God gives us beauty for ashes?
• How can we relate to Naomi’s laments in Ruth 1:6–13 and Ruth 1:20–21 when we’re going through times of sorrow, grief, or hardship?
• Based on Ruth 1:14-18, why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi? Who was she really clinging to?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me turn to You even in the midst of any sorrow or pain I’m experiencing. Help me feel Your comfort and love during any trials I face.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gospel of Ruth
• Where Ya From? Podcast - Fighting Battles Together (Carolyn Custis James)

Listen:

• The Book of Naomi
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times

Read:

• Journeying Through Grief to Find Healing
• A Season of Suffering – Meeting Jesus in Our Pain

Watch:

• Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21
• Unshakable Moxie