I’m Standing Right Here
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth 1:16-17 * all scripture is NIV
Have you ever been in a room with other people, only to have them start talking about you as if you were not there? Did it make you want to speak up and say, “Hey, I’m standing right here!” This feeling of being overlooked or forgotten can be a devastating experience, especially when you’ve invested your time and energy into a relationship or situation.
In the book of Ruth, we read about Naomi who had lost her husband and two sons during a famine in the land of Moab. Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi heard that God had provided food for Judah and decided to return to her homeland. She started her journey back with Orpah and Ruth. However, as Naomi realized she had nothing to offer these women, she urged them to go back to their mothers’ homes, praying that the Lord would help them find rest in the home of another husband. Orpah kissed Naomi and went on her way, but Ruth clung to Naomi speaking the words of Ruth 1: 16-17 (above).
In this passage, Ruth declared her unyielding allegiance and love to Naomi. Ruth is basically telling Naomi, “You will never be alone. I will never leave you.” Yet, when they finally make it to Bethlehem, Naomi is full of sorrow and feels like she has nothing.
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.”
Ruth 1:20-21
This could have been a very gut-wrenching moment for Ruth. It would almost feel like Naomi had overlooked the very love and support Ruth had just pledged. Ruth had sworn to stay by Naomi’s side, even in the darkest times, and Naomi’s words seemed to suggest that she was now alone and forgotten by God.
But here’s the reality: Ruth’s love was never in vain, and neither is God’s presence in our lives. Just as Ruth was faithfully standing by Naomi, God is faithfully standing by us. But how often do we, like Naomi, forget that God is always with us in our hardest times?
How many times have we felt alone, forgotten, or abandoned by God? How many times have we complained about feeling alone and like nobody is by our side? We all face moments when we feel like we’ve been left to face our battles by ourselves, but those feelings don’t align with the truth that God has promised to never leave us. Even when our circumstances make us feel empty or abandoned, God’s word stands as a reminder that He will always be with us.
We may cry out in frustration and disbelief, as Naomi did, but God’s promises do not change based on our feelings or experiences. He has declared in His Word that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God is with us even when we feel like we’re walking through life alone.
Consider these scriptures that assure us of God’s constant presence:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."
Psalm 139:7-10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20
When we start to feel like God has abandoned us, He is closer than we can imagine. His promises are not like the fleeting words of people around us; they are eternal and unfailing. Even when we don’t feel His presence, He is there, just as He was with Ruth and Naomi. God will never leave us, no matter how empty or bitter we may feel.
The truth is, God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on how we feel in the moment. His presence is a constant, unwavering force in our lives, just like Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi. Even when Naomi thought she was returning empty, she wasn’t. Ruth’s love and support were a tangible reminder of God’s provision. God often provides us with the people and the strength we need, even when we are unable to see it in the moment.
Let’s remember, like Ruth did for Naomi, God has promised to stay with us forever. He will not forsake us, no matter how difficult our journey may seem. No matter what we face, we are never truly empty or alone. God is with us every step of the way.
Prayer
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
As you spend time in prayer today, start by acknowledging God’s presence in this very moment. Ask Him to open your eyes to see the ways He is standing next to you, even in difficult moments. You may want to spend some time asking the Lord to bring to mind people that may feel alone and forgotten and respond by writing a note or giving a call to that person. Maybe you need to pray for healing from feeling overlooked and to give you peace when you feel like your presence doesn’t matter. Be assured by His Word that you are significant in the Father’s eyes.
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49: 15-16
