June 2026

Have you ever been jealous of your neighbor? The Israelites sure were. They wanted a king to rule over them as other nations had, believing that life would be better and more secure. However, when Israel’s prophet prayed about having a king as a leader, the Lord responded that the people’s jealous desire was actually a rejection of Him as their true King: “they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Their need for what others’ possessed had decreased their faith in Him.

The Lord loved His people, the children of Israel. We read in Ruth that His love wasn’t just for the nation as a whole, but for each person individually who kept their covenants. Ruth is an example of a convert to the faith who trusted in the Lord to keep her and her mother-in-law safe during a famine. Ruth’s loyalty to God helped her see His blessings in her life and trust that even in an uncertain world, good things would come.