The Reason

We begin by holding close the question at hand. Who are our companions? Whom or what don’t we want to return home with us? And what is our reasoning?

 When we look at this child of God, who is returning home, on Spirit conviction and constraining, we note her companions. They are those who have been physically living with her, those who have grown used to her and love her, those to whom, no doubt, she has been a healthy source of strength, inspiration and wisdom. Remember, whether or not this child of God was feeling the need to return home, she never actually made the decision to pack up and leave, and act on it. Today, she has acted on it, and she becomes ever conscious of her useless, fruitless and dried-up life. She wants those to whom she has been a living help, comfort, and strength, to be separated from her.

You look at yourself, as I look at myself, and note our present request. This may not come in words, but it surely comes in our actions and ways. We have realized that we have been offering help, comfort, and encouragement to others, when we ourselves have been most disobedient to the Word. We have been asking, but not really receiving from God, because we have not been abiding in His Son Jesus. We have realized how useless and futile our words and ways are without Him and do not want to have anyone follow us in this dry state. Is this not the reason for Naomi not wanting her present, living companions to go back home to Bethlehem, her place of birth, with her?

In this time we are seeking greater depths of learning and understanding, concerning the reason for the request. We seek our Gracious, Patient and Loving Holy Spirit, Teacher and Counsellor, to bring us to the place of mind and heart, which pleases Father God. Here is the reason quoted in the text.  Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?

Naomi is past childbearing age. She already had sons who provided Ruth and Orpah with husbands. Now that the Lord has taken them to be with Him, she sees herself as useless to them, in that she has nothing to offer them, which will enhance their lives, as young women. This is sad, but terribly serious, because this is the thinking of many a person in his or her advanced years. We see fruitfulness and usefulness in relation to our younger years and when we come to our mature years, we are unable to relate usefulness and fruitfulness in other ways, which are just as pleasing and accepted by Almighty God.

This may seem very childish and comically foolish to you, but it has moved me in my spirit and I am grateful to God to be included in the list of recipients of, ‘Rabbit!  Rabbit.’  A friend, who lives in another island from me, has phoned and is telling me how little she is able to get out and do anything. When I knew her, in her more youthful years, she was a fireball of energy, as she dedicated her life to serving her Lord, Jesus Christ.

She told me that on the first day of every month, she phones friends and simply says, “Rabbit! Rabbit! Have a blessed month.” When she told this to me something beautiful and sweet happened to me, as I was told that I was included in her list. She is old now, with failing sight and cannot serve God in the ways she used to. But she is still the happy, vivacious person in heart and spirit, and is able to bring the fullness of comfort, peace, joy and love to others, through her “Rabbit! Rabbit! Calls.” My first such call truly inspired and lifted me to heights of praise and thanks, as I heard more than those simple words.

Whoever you are, and however old you have become, know these facts.

You have come to this age, because God has said you are to reach whatever your milestone.

You have attained this age, because God has favoured you and kept your mind sound in Him.

Your service to Him is pleasing now, in your mature years, as it was in your younger years. This is so because God is pleased and delighted not with what you do, but the condition of your heart.

Naomi was only seeing how she had once borne sons, how she felt a sense of achievement in this and was totally delighted with herself. Now, unable to bear such fruit, she sees herself as useless and fruitless. This is the attitude that forfeits God’s Hand of Grace and Might, to produce suitable fruit unto Him and others, in one’s advanced years.     

Return home with your companions, mercy and grace. The same mercy and the same grace, which were your companions in younger years are with you still – no change. Travel not alone!

Accept the companionship of The Spirit, in the ways He comes to you.