This intrigues me because it was Naomi’s loss that led her to listen. Please keep this in mind: This story is not to show God punishing Naomi for wandering off into Moab. Her loss was not punitive - it was corrective. Its purpose was to get her back on track - back to Bethlehem, the House of Bread; back to Judah, the Place of Praise.

So too, in your life and in mine, when there is loss, it is not for punishment. Why? Because the punishment for our sin could never be severe enough. I know you; you’re like me. We all deserve to be totally consumed. Whatever God could send our way could never be punishment enough for our sin. The punishment which should have come upon us was poured out upon Jesus Christ, Who died in our place. Therefore, His work in our lives is not punitive, it’s corrective.

If you have been in a place of loss - materially or internally, vocationally or relationally - know this: You are experiencing loss not because God is mad at you, angry with you, or disappointed in you, but because He wants to speak to you. And He knows that sometimes the only time we will listen is when we are at a place of loss where we can do nothing else.