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"Someone Else's Field"
We learned that Boaz is a foreshadowing of the Savior of the world who would appear many, many years later. Jesus is our Protector, Defender and Friend. He deliberately places blessings on our path just as Boaz had his servants place blessings on ground for Ruth. Boaz provided a meal for Ruth and asked her to eat with him. Jesus invites us to dine with Him daily and enjoys our company. Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer. (There's more coming on that subject later.)
Revelation 3:20-21 (NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
Do you spend time just enjoying the company of King Jesus? Do you realize Who you are sitting with? I know that sometimes I allow my time with Him to become something I just check off my list of "to-do's". If I stop and think about it, I see and understand that I am dining with the King and Creator of the Universe who conquered sin and death. The shear magnitude of this invitation should take our breath away.
Today portion of Ruth focuses on staying within the protection of the Master's field. Look at Ruth 2 with me now:
Ruth 2:21-23 (NLT) Then Ruth said, “What’s more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed.”
“Good!” Naomi exclaimed. “Do as he said, my daughter. Stay with his young women right through the whole harvest. You might be harassed in other fields, but you’ll be safe with him.”
So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law.
Naomi was excited at the results of Ruth's day in the fields. Not only did Ruth bring home a full basket of grain, she was invited in to dine with the master of the field. She discovered that the field belonged to her close relative Boaz and knew the Hebrew law concerning the role of the Kinsman - Redeemer. (Leviticus 25:25) (Yes, more about this later.)
Naomi gave Ruth the instruction to stay with the workers and specifically the girls. She knew that in Boaz's field Ruth would be safe. She also knew that she should remain with the females to keep her even safer. Working with the men would be a disgrace to her and Naomi. It would be asking for trouble.
When have you gone somewhere and hung out with people you knew were "not safe?" By this, I am saying places and people who cause you to look in the opposite direction of Jesus and the safety of his will. It could be a person who draws you into behavior that isn't good. It could be a place that lures you into old bad behavior.
Isaiah 53:6a (NLT) All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Why do we wander away from what we know to be true about our lives we have given over to Christ? What is so attractive somewhere else that we stray away? How can we forget what Jesus has done and what He provides? If we are Believers in Jesus, then why do give up on the best? What's so attractive in another's field?
Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
When we came to know God the Son, in the person of Jesus the Messiah, we were totally accepted into His Kingdom. His fields flourish with goodness and mercy. He protects and shields us from our enemy ~ Satan (who wants nothing less than our death). Why, then, would we want to leave His side and wander off into another field?
The Master, the Good Shepherd, bids us to stay within the goodness of His grace-filled love and protection. Let's make the decision to stay within the safety of His kindness. Why would we want to go anywhere else?
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT) “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
John 10:11 (NLT) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He alone can provide and protect those He loves and loves Him back. His provision is more than enough. His fields are green and good. Seek and stay within His grace. Don't wander to another's field. He's the Only One who would lay down His life for us. We are safe with Him.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Thirteen
"A Basket Full and Running Over"
We've witnessed how Boaz was kind to Ruth by allowing her to pick up grain with the others. He even secretly had the workers pull whole stalks of barley out and leave it for Ruth to pick up. At the end of the day he asked her to dinner and sent her home with her day's harvest ~ a full basket of grain.
Boaz is a foreshadowing of Jesus. Don't get me wrong. He's not the Messiah but he reflects who the Messiah is. Jesus provides more than we could ever imagine. Just like Boaz, Jesus places blessing in our paths for us to harvest. He invites us to eat with Him and be filled. When we go to Him for the filling of our needs, our baskets are always full.
Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This is how Jesus gives ~ "a good measure...pressed down...shaken together.. and running over." He gives abundantly to those He loves and who come to Him as their Lord. We see that reflected in the actions of Boaz to Ruth.
Let's read our text for today and see what we can learn from it:
Ruth 2:19-20 (NLT) Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.
"The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."
Naomi was surprised to hear that Ruth had been working in the fields of Boaz. She knew him as her relative and called him "one of our kinsman-redeemers." What does that mean? And why does it matter that we know it? Well, let's take a look and see. (I love learning new things!)
"Kinsman-redeemer" ("ga-el" in Hebrew) means, "to redeem, ransom, release, deliver; to fulfill the duties of relationship." We will study more about this later, but we see the reflection of Jesus again in this passage of Scripture. The scarlet thread that runs through the Old Testament leads us to our Kinsman-Redeemer in the person of Jesus ~ God the Son.
Job 19:25 (NLT) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
Job did foretell of our Savior ~ our Redeemer whose name is Jesus. (It's the sweetest name I know!) Again, we pick up part of the scarlet thread that runs through the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Another word for "redeemer" is "defender." I like that word. Jesus is my Redeemer-Defender. He's my Provider and Protector.
Galatians 1:3-5 (NLT) May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Jesus rescues us from the debt we owe for our disobedience to God. In fact, He went so far as to pay the debt and the debt was our death. You see death is the penalty for disobedience to God. What "god" do you know that would forgive such a debt? Name one? Buddha ~ he's dead... Joseph Smith ~ he's dead...Mohammed...he's dead...Vishnu... he's dead? Not one allows for redemption and blessing at the same time. No other Redeemer lives.
Where else can we turn but to the One who sends us home with our baskets full to overflowing? Who rescues us from death? Who restores us to who He created us to be? There is no other name given to someone that describes our Kinsman- Redeemer. His Name is Jesus!
Psalm 68:19 (NLT) Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
We've witnessed how Boaz was kind to Ruth by allowing her to pick up grain with the others. He even secretly had the workers pull whole stalks of barley out and leave it for Ruth to pick up. At the end of the day he asked her to dinner and sent her home with her day's harvest ~ a full basket of grain.
Boaz is a foreshadowing of Jesus. Don't get me wrong. He's not the Messiah but he reflects who the Messiah is. Jesus provides more than we could ever imagine. Just like Boaz, Jesus places blessing in our paths for us to harvest. He invites us to eat with Him and be filled. When we go to Him for the filling of our needs, our baskets are always full.
Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This is how Jesus gives ~ "a good measure...pressed down...shaken together.. and running over." He gives abundantly to those He loves and who come to Him as their Lord. We see that reflected in the actions of Boaz to Ruth.
Let's read our text for today and see what we can learn from it:
Ruth 2:19-20 (NLT) Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.
"The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."
Naomi was surprised to hear that Ruth had been working in the fields of Boaz. She knew him as her relative and called him "one of our kinsman-redeemers." What does that mean? And why does it matter that we know it? Well, let's take a look and see. (I love learning new things!)
"Kinsman-redeemer" ("ga-el" in Hebrew) means, "to redeem, ransom, release, deliver; to fulfill the duties of relationship." We will study more about this later, but we see the reflection of Jesus again in this passage of Scripture. The scarlet thread that runs through the Old Testament leads us to our Kinsman-Redeemer in the person of Jesus ~ God the Son.
Job 19:25 (NLT) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
Job did foretell of our Savior ~ our Redeemer whose name is Jesus. (It's the sweetest name I know!) Again, we pick up part of the scarlet thread that runs through the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Another word for "redeemer" is "defender." I like that word. Jesus is my Redeemer-Defender. He's my Provider and Protector.
Galatians 1:3-5 (NLT) May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Jesus rescues us from the debt we owe for our disobedience to God. In fact, He went so far as to pay the debt and the debt was our death. You see death is the penalty for disobedience to God. What "god" do you know that would forgive such a debt? Name one? Buddha ~ he's dead... Joseph Smith ~ he's dead...Mohammed...he's dead...Vishnu... he's dead? Not one allows for redemption and blessing at the same time. No other Redeemer lives.
Where else can we turn but to the One who sends us home with our baskets full to overflowing? Who rescues us from death? Who restores us to who He created us to be? There is no other name given to someone that describes our Kinsman- Redeemer. His Name is Jesus!
Psalm 68:19 (NLT) Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
Hold out your basket,
lay down your life for His,
raise up to life forever.
lay down your life for His,
raise up to life forever.
Jesus is our Redeemer and Friend.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Twelve
"Stay for Dinner"
From yesterday's devotion we learned how Boaz had taken notice of Ruth. He offered her kindness and rest. The book of Ruth teaches us that treating others as God would have us treat them brings blessing from His hand. We may not know what our blessing will be or that it should be our goal to receive blessings. Rather, we are to treat one another as God would have us do so. It is to His glory and purpose that we should want to live as He wants us to live.
Our Lord shows us compassion. We learned from our last devotion that we should show this same compassion to others. Why is it so hard sometimes? I think its easier to be kind to strangers than it is to our own loved ones. I say self-serving things to my husband that I would never say to a stranger. Why do I do it? Would we usually raise our voice to a stranger's child? Then why do we do it so easily to our own? We should treat everyone as Christ has treated us. (Help me remember this Lord!)
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Hebrews 13:2 (NLT) Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Today’s portion of Scripture further explores the kindness and compassion shown through Boaz.
Ruth 2:14-18 (NLT) At mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!” So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket. She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the roasted grain that was left over from her meal.
Boaz invited Ruth to stay for dinner. He asked her to come closer to him and share the bread. She sat down with the harvesters and was able to eat as much as she wanted. Maybe this was the first time in a long time that her stomach was actual full. I’m sure hunger pangs were a part of her daily life.
Ruth had all she wanted. She didn’t leave the table of her master hungry. God doesn't want us to leave His table hungry. He invites us to be fed from His hand daily. Why do we look for filling elsewhere? Why do we look for filling from another's table and not the King of the Universe?
Read the Scripture below and see how Jesus dealt with a certain crowd of hungry people:
Matthew 14:14-21 (NLT) 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Jesus saw the need of the hungry people, just like Boaz did when he saw Ruth. Jesus offered what was available and asked God’s blessing upon it. Boaz knew he could bless this hungry young woman with what he had to offer. We’ve seen that he sought God’s blessing before in his daily greetings to the harvesters. Boaz knew that it was from God’s hand that he could offer blessing to Ruth.
You may be thinking, “What can I offer? I have so little.” Remember that Jesus uses what we are willing to give to Him to use. He gives us just what we need and He can use what we are willing to allow Him to use.
Boaz even told his workers to leave some whole sheaves of grain for Ruth. She was able to take this home to Naomi who was able to eat to her fill as well. Boaz not only blessed Ruth, he blessed Naomi as too.
When our spiritual bellies are full from spending time at His table we are able to offer what He has filled us with to others. God wants us to give. He wants us to show others His love through us. When we are obedient to His will for our lives, is able to do the miraculous through us. God uses what little we have and multiplies it infinitely more that we could ever ask or imagine.
Ruth was filled at the master’s table. She was grateful and took her blessing home with her to share with her mother-in-law. She knew how to accept a blessing. God wants the same for you and me. Let’s learn to dine with our Master by accepting the gifts He has to offer. Let's fill our spiritual hunger from the Only One who can fill it.
Let's also remember to give and treat others as we are treated by God. Jesus tells us in the Bible that we are to "love your neighbors as yourself." Our kindness, compassion and consideration is not limited to certain people, it is meant for everyone we encounter.
Keep your radar up for others to bless. Ask God to reveal a need that He wants to fill in someone else's life through you. Then stand back and watch God do His stuff. He's incredible!
From yesterday's devotion we learned how Boaz had taken notice of Ruth. He offered her kindness and rest. The book of Ruth teaches us that treating others as God would have us treat them brings blessing from His hand. We may not know what our blessing will be or that it should be our goal to receive blessings. Rather, we are to treat one another as God would have us do so. It is to His glory and purpose that we should want to live as He wants us to live.
Our Lord shows us compassion. We learned from our last devotion that we should show this same compassion to others. Why is it so hard sometimes? I think its easier to be kind to strangers than it is to our own loved ones. I say self-serving things to my husband that I would never say to a stranger. Why do I do it? Would we usually raise our voice to a stranger's child? Then why do we do it so easily to our own? We should treat everyone as Christ has treated us. (Help me remember this Lord!)
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Hebrews 13:2 (NLT) Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Today’s portion of Scripture further explores the kindness and compassion shown through Boaz.
Ruth 2:14-18 (NLT) At mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!” So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket. She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the roasted grain that was left over from her meal.
Boaz invited Ruth to stay for dinner. He asked her to come closer to him and share the bread. She sat down with the harvesters and was able to eat as much as she wanted. Maybe this was the first time in a long time that her stomach was actual full. I’m sure hunger pangs were a part of her daily life.
Ruth had all she wanted. She didn’t leave the table of her master hungry. God doesn't want us to leave His table hungry. He invites us to be fed from His hand daily. Why do we look for filling elsewhere? Why do we look for filling from another's table and not the King of the Universe?
Read the Scripture below and see how Jesus dealt with a certain crowd of hungry people:
Matthew 14:14-21 (NLT) 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Jesus saw the need of the hungry people, just like Boaz did when he saw Ruth. Jesus offered what was available and asked God’s blessing upon it. Boaz knew he could bless this hungry young woman with what he had to offer. We’ve seen that he sought God’s blessing before in his daily greetings to the harvesters. Boaz knew that it was from God’s hand that he could offer blessing to Ruth.
You may be thinking, “What can I offer? I have so little.” Remember that Jesus uses what we are willing to give to Him to use. He gives us just what we need and He can use what we are willing to allow Him to use.
Boaz even told his workers to leave some whole sheaves of grain for Ruth. She was able to take this home to Naomi who was able to eat to her fill as well. Boaz not only blessed Ruth, he blessed Naomi as too.
When our spiritual bellies are full from spending time at His table we are able to offer what He has filled us with to others. God wants us to give. He wants us to show others His love through us. When we are obedient to His will for our lives, is able to do the miraculous through us. God uses what little we have and multiplies it infinitely more that we could ever ask or imagine.
Ruth was filled at the master’s table. She was grateful and took her blessing home with her to share with her mother-in-law. She knew how to accept a blessing. God wants the same for you and me. Let’s learn to dine with our Master by accepting the gifts He has to offer. Let's fill our spiritual hunger from the Only One who can fill it.
Let's also remember to give and treat others as we are treated by God. Jesus tells us in the Bible that we are to "love your neighbors as yourself." Our kindness, compassion and consideration is not limited to certain people, it is meant for everyone we encounter.
Keep your radar up for others to bless. Ask God to reveal a need that He wants to fill in someone else's life through you. Then stand back and watch God do His stuff. He's incredible!
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Eleven
"What's the Buzz?"
We pick up the story of Ruth from the question she asked Boaz after he had been so kind to her. We find it in verse 10 of chapter 2. Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
Ruth humbled herself before the master of the grain field that she was harvesting grain for her and Naomi. She knew that he had the power to prevent her from gathering the food she so desperately needed. She knew her position before him.
Ruth 2:11-13 (NLT) “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
“I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”
I love how Scripture tells the story of Ruth. We get a clearer and clearer picture of this special woman. Boaz obviously noticed her. The story of Naomi’s return with this Moabitess had spread all across town. He’d heard the buzz about Naomi’s companion who happened to be a foreigner. Now he comes to work and sees her resting in his shelter after picking up left-over grain from his barley fields.
We’ve all heard stories about people and have been curious to see what all the chatter was about. When we come face-to-face with the subject matter we can either satisfy our curiosity or keep quiet and believe what we’ve heard. Boaz decided to talk with Ruth and find out for himself.
We've all "heard things" and have even helped with the spreading of the "news." Why do we do this? Are we satisfying our need to know more? Is it ok to add to the chatter? This is what the Bible says:
Proverbs 18:8 (NLT) Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NLT) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
Psalm 19:14 (NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Boaz asked Ruth about herself. He told her the good things that people had said. Isn't that what we should do? Shouldn't we go to the subject of idle chatter and find out the truth?
Apparently Boaz was impressed with Ruth because she had been faithful to her mother-in-law. He knew she was a foreigner but he didn’t allow this to prejudice him towards her. Instead of holding her nationality against her, he instead looked at her actions and her heart.
So many times we judge people by where they come from, how they look or what we have heard about them. But how often do we give them a chance without judgment. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, in this case, Boaz decided to read the book instead of just reading the cover.
Boaz could have ignored Ruth. He could have thrown her off his property. He could have had her arrested. Instead, he offered her kindness. He had heard things about her but waited to find out for himself just who she really was.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Women (I think we can add men) have the tendency to judge people (especially other women) by the things they have heard, the way a person looks, how they act around others, etc. I've done it. I've believed what others have said and not given that person a chance. (Am I the only one here?) I've been the one to judge and tell others about things that I have no right to talk about. These are questions we should all ask ourselves and then have an honest chat with our God.
Earlier in chapter 1 we read about how Ruth chose Naomi’s people and especially her God. She wanted what Naomi had ~ a people to call her own and a God that was strong. Boaz was again showing Ruth how kind his God was. He offered a blessing on Ruth. We read it in the second half of verse 2:12. “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
Wow, instead of sending Ruth away, Boaz blessed her. I’m almost positive Ruth was quite nervous and even afraid around Boaz. She didn’t know how he would respond to her. So when he was through blessing her and showing her kindness, Ruth responded with grateful words.
Ruth 2:13 (MSG) She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness—I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!"
Ruth knew her place. She knew she didn’t deserve the good and kind treatment from Boaz. How grateful she must have been. We too should be grateful for finding good and kind treatment from God through His Son Jesus. Boaz reflected the goodness and kindness of God to her. Ruth received this from him even though she knew he didn’t have to show it to her.
Our relationship to Jesus is similar. He touches our hearts and treats us like His own. We don't deserve His kindness ~ His forgiveness ~ His love. But, Jesus gives it freely to those who ask.
Ephesians 2:6-7 (Contemporary English Version) God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.
We are all beggars before we come to Christ. He's the Master who gives to those who humble themselves and ask Him to help them. The whole Book of Ruth tells a story of God's kindness and provision. We were foreigners in His land and now we are part of His family. Wow! We need to really stop and think about the generosity of the One who loves us most and knows us without having to listen to what others say about. He doesn't give any credit to idle chatter. (Whew that's a big relief!)
We pick up the story of Ruth from the question she asked Boaz after he had been so kind to her. We find it in verse 10 of chapter 2. Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
Ruth humbled herself before the master of the grain field that she was harvesting grain for her and Naomi. She knew that he had the power to prevent her from gathering the food she so desperately needed. She knew her position before him.
Ruth 2:11-13 (NLT) “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
“I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”
I love how Scripture tells the story of Ruth. We get a clearer and clearer picture of this special woman. Boaz obviously noticed her. The story of Naomi’s return with this Moabitess had spread all across town. He’d heard the buzz about Naomi’s companion who happened to be a foreigner. Now he comes to work and sees her resting in his shelter after picking up left-over grain from his barley fields.
We’ve all heard stories about people and have been curious to see what all the chatter was about. When we come face-to-face with the subject matter we can either satisfy our curiosity or keep quiet and believe what we’ve heard. Boaz decided to talk with Ruth and find out for himself.
We've all "heard things" and have even helped with the spreading of the "news." Why do we do this? Are we satisfying our need to know more? Is it ok to add to the chatter? This is what the Bible says:
Proverbs 18:8 (NLT) Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NLT) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
Psalm 19:14 (NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Boaz asked Ruth about herself. He told her the good things that people had said. Isn't that what we should do? Shouldn't we go to the subject of idle chatter and find out the truth?
Apparently Boaz was impressed with Ruth because she had been faithful to her mother-in-law. He knew she was a foreigner but he didn’t allow this to prejudice him towards her. Instead of holding her nationality against her, he instead looked at her actions and her heart.
So many times we judge people by where they come from, how they look or what we have heard about them. But how often do we give them a chance without judgment. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, in this case, Boaz decided to read the book instead of just reading the cover.
Boaz could have ignored Ruth. He could have thrown her off his property. He could have had her arrested. Instead, he offered her kindness. He had heard things about her but waited to find out for himself just who she really was.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Women (I think we can add men) have the tendency to judge people (especially other women) by the things they have heard, the way a person looks, how they act around others, etc. I've done it. I've believed what others have said and not given that person a chance. (Am I the only one here?) I've been the one to judge and tell others about things that I have no right to talk about. These are questions we should all ask ourselves and then have an honest chat with our God.
Earlier in chapter 1 we read about how Ruth chose Naomi’s people and especially her God. She wanted what Naomi had ~ a people to call her own and a God that was strong. Boaz was again showing Ruth how kind his God was. He offered a blessing on Ruth. We read it in the second half of verse 2:12. “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
Wow, instead of sending Ruth away, Boaz blessed her. I’m almost positive Ruth was quite nervous and even afraid around Boaz. She didn’t know how he would respond to her. So when he was through blessing her and showing her kindness, Ruth responded with grateful words.
Ruth 2:13 (MSG) She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness—I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!"
Ruth knew her place. She knew she didn’t deserve the good and kind treatment from Boaz. How grateful she must have been. We too should be grateful for finding good and kind treatment from God through His Son Jesus. Boaz reflected the goodness and kindness of God to her. Ruth received this from him even though she knew he didn’t have to show it to her.
Our relationship to Jesus is similar. He touches our hearts and treats us like His own. We don't deserve His kindness ~ His forgiveness ~ His love. But, Jesus gives it freely to those who ask.
Ephesians 2:6-7 (Contemporary English Version) God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.
We are all beggars before we come to Christ. He's the Master who gives to those who humble themselves and ask Him to help them. The whole Book of Ruth tells a story of God's kindness and provision. We were foreigners in His land and now we are part of His family. Wow! We need to really stop and think about the generosity of the One who loves us most and knows us without having to listen to what others say about. He doesn't give any credit to idle chatter. (Whew that's a big relief!)
Oh Lord, thank You for all the kindness You have given me even though I don't deserve it!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Ten
"Choose Your Attitude"
In Devotion Nine we learned about Ruth going to glean the leftover barley in the fields to get food for her and Naomi. What a humbling thing to do. I can’t imagine having to feed my family that way. They had no other choice but to take this humble position.
The act of picking up grain causes not only a physical bowing, but a mental one as well. It reflects the spiritual humility God requires of us. The position of true humility is having an understanding of our true identity as it relates to God.
I'm sure there are things in your life, as well as in mine, that I have to do even though we don't want to. How we respond to the work ahead of us is the issue. How is our attitude toward it? Take time to think about the task that faces you today? What is your true attitude?
1 Peter 5:5b-7 (NLT) And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Peter writes about being a servant. He relates to us that God doesn't like proud hearts. In that, it means our attitude toward the task ahead or people we encounter. What's cool about God is that He supplies us with the right attitude when we ask Him. We don't have to worry about what lies ahead when we give it to our God, because He really cares for us. He is compassionate towards us when we turn to Him with humble hearts.
Ruth humbled herself and look what happened:
Ruth 2:4-10 (NLT) While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
So as we go further into the story, let’s humble ourselves before the Lord with prayer:
"Dear Lord, I want nothing more than to serve You. Help me learn more about Your wonderful plans through this story found in Ruth. It is rich with Your love and faithfulness. I pray that I will discover how You answer prayers in ways Naomi and Ruth could never have imagined. May I see and experience the same wonder. It is in Jesus’ Name I pray ~ Amen."
We determine from Boaz’s greeting of the workers that he is a godly man and his workers responded in kind. Such a greeting is practically unheard of in today’s society, at least in western society. This closet we get is saying, “Have a nice day.”
The priests of the time were required by God to give a blessing to the Israelites. It was a way of putting God’s name on them to reflect that they were His chosen people. The priests were calling God’s blessing to be on His people. Boaz was blessing those who worked for him in his greeting. Boaz started the day with a good attitude.
Below is the blessing he gave:
Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in My name, I Myself will bless them.”
With Boaz’s greeting to his fellow workers, he was acknowledging God and simply asking God’s blessing on them and their work. With this “hello” he was calling on God for protection, God’s delight and grace, His favor and peace. The workers responded with the same. Their response was the “amen” to the blessing.
How do you greet others? What attitude do you have when you approach someone? Does it depend on who it is? Are you kind or rude? Gentle or forceful? Considerate or selfish?
After greeting his men, he asked about the Ruth. Boaz didn’t waste time in approaching her. Not only that, he made sure that she felt welcome to continue with her work. He wasn’t required to offer her any more than being able to pick up the left-over grain, but he went beyond the requirement. He offered her water and protection as well.
Boaz reminds me of God’s grace to those who humble themselves before Him. He doesn’t have to give us anything, but He does. His biggest gift of grace to us is found in His Son Jesus. We don’t deserve anything from Him. Because the Lord loves us, He gave His best for us. (See John 3:16-17)
God knows who you are. He doesn’t have to ask anyone. He provides for us, for His people. He’s concerned with our welfare. He doesn’t want us to go anywhere else to find provision for our needs. He’s all we need. Rest in Him and take part in the provision He has for you.
Ruth's response to Boaz was one of great humility and gratitude. We must examine our response to God’s wonderful gifts to us. We don’t deserve the favor we find in Him, but because of His great love for us, He gives freely.
As you go about your day today ask God for His help in the duties of life. Choose the joy He willingly provides for those who decide to humble themselves before Him.
In Devotion Nine we learned about Ruth going to glean the leftover barley in the fields to get food for her and Naomi. What a humbling thing to do. I can’t imagine having to feed my family that way. They had no other choice but to take this humble position.
The act of picking up grain causes not only a physical bowing, but a mental one as well. It reflects the spiritual humility God requires of us. The position of true humility is having an understanding of our true identity as it relates to God.
I'm sure there are things in your life, as well as in mine, that I have to do even though we don't want to. How we respond to the work ahead of us is the issue. How is our attitude toward it? Take time to think about the task that faces you today? What is your true attitude?
1 Peter 5:5b-7 (NLT) And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Peter writes about being a servant. He relates to us that God doesn't like proud hearts. In that, it means our attitude toward the task ahead or people we encounter. What's cool about God is that He supplies us with the right attitude when we ask Him. We don't have to worry about what lies ahead when we give it to our God, because He really cares for us. He is compassionate towards us when we turn to Him with humble hearts.
Ruth humbled herself and look what happened:
Ruth 2:4-10 (NLT) While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
So as we go further into the story, let’s humble ourselves before the Lord with prayer:
"Dear Lord, I want nothing more than to serve You. Help me learn more about Your wonderful plans through this story found in Ruth. It is rich with Your love and faithfulness. I pray that I will discover how You answer prayers in ways Naomi and Ruth could never have imagined. May I see and experience the same wonder. It is in Jesus’ Name I pray ~ Amen."
We determine from Boaz’s greeting of the workers that he is a godly man and his workers responded in kind. Such a greeting is practically unheard of in today’s society, at least in western society. This closet we get is saying, “Have a nice day.”
The priests of the time were required by God to give a blessing to the Israelites. It was a way of putting God’s name on them to reflect that they were His chosen people. The priests were calling God’s blessing to be on His people. Boaz was blessing those who worked for him in his greeting. Boaz started the day with a good attitude.
Below is the blessing he gave:
Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in My name, I Myself will bless them.”
With Boaz’s greeting to his fellow workers, he was acknowledging God and simply asking God’s blessing on them and their work. With this “hello” he was calling on God for protection, God’s delight and grace, His favor and peace. The workers responded with the same. Their response was the “amen” to the blessing.
How do you greet others? What attitude do you have when you approach someone? Does it depend on who it is? Are you kind or rude? Gentle or forceful? Considerate or selfish?
After greeting his men, he asked about the Ruth. Boaz didn’t waste time in approaching her. Not only that, he made sure that she felt welcome to continue with her work. He wasn’t required to offer her any more than being able to pick up the left-over grain, but he went beyond the requirement. He offered her water and protection as well.
Boaz reminds me of God’s grace to those who humble themselves before Him. He doesn’t have to give us anything, but He does. His biggest gift of grace to us is found in His Son Jesus. We don’t deserve anything from Him. Because the Lord loves us, He gave His best for us. (See John 3:16-17)
God knows who you are. He doesn’t have to ask anyone. He provides for us, for His people. He’s concerned with our welfare. He doesn’t want us to go anywhere else to find provision for our needs. He’s all we need. Rest in Him and take part in the provision He has for you.
Ruth's response to Boaz was one of great humility and gratitude. We must examine our response to God’s wonderful gifts to us. We don’t deserve the favor we find in Him, but because of His great love for us, He gives freely.
As you go about your day today ask God for His help in the duties of life. Choose the joy He willingly provides for those who decide to humble themselves before Him.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Nine
"Let's Move!"
In our last devotion we learned about Naomi’s entrance into her hometown of Bethlehem. Apparently the women were surprised to see her. In fact, they weren’t sure it was her after ten years. She wasn’t with her husband Elimelech or her sons. Rather, she was with a stranger. Who was that young woman?
Naomi began her introduction by explaining that she was no longer named “Naomi,” which means “my joy,” but had taken on the name “Mara,” which means “bitter.” We know why Naomi was bitter. She even blamed God for changing the meaning of her name.
When I was younger I was called Carrie Anne. When I got older I changed my name to Carrie. I still, to this day, don’t like to be called Carrie Anne because it makes me feel like I’m a child. (Waa-waa., call the wambulance! ) I know that my parents named me after two very special people (their sisters), but I still don’t like it. Carrie sounds so much more sophisticated (yeah right). Maybe Carrie Anne reminds me of my insecurities. (Who knows?)
Could it be that Naomi didn’t like her name anymore because it brought back memories of happier times with her husband and her sons? Bittersweet memories that made her heart physically skip a beat or two. Maybe every time someone would say her name it made her heart ache so much she would rather be called by a name that described how she felt now. Her name didn’t affect her situation it affected her attitude.
It would be like me feeling dumb or ugly and telling everyone my name was "Dumb Ugly." Nice name right? But this is exactly what Naomi did. She dropped the joyful name for bitterness. What joyful name have you dropped for bitterness?
So with this new name Naomi began the next chapter in her life with a woman who gave up her life to follow her. I wonder how Ruth must have felt as she stood there hearing her beloved mother-in-law tell these women of her bitterness.
Ruth 2:1-3 Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”
Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.
The field where Ruth picked up grain was near the city of Bethlehem. This land is rich with Biblical history. Little did she know what God had in store for her in this bread basket of the Promised Land? Isn't it funny how God leads us places and surprises us with things. We often call it coincidence, but it's really God wanting to delight us.
Here is some interesting history of this little town known as Bethlehem. Take a look:
Genesis 35:18-19 Rachel (Jacob's wife) was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
1 Samuel 17:14-15 David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, but David (later King David) went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1-2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
Bethlehem was definitely a place where mighty things of God happened. This little town holds great significance historically as well as spiritually in the lives of the chosen people of Israel. The most significant is that our Lord Jesus Christ made His entrance, as God in human form, in the tiny helpless body of an infant.
We can see the scarlet thread of salvation running from the Old Testament to the New Testament. None of this was accidental or coincidental. It was God’s plan and He is still working out His plan in the perfection of His holiness.
Naomi knew that it was the command of God for the farmers to leave the corners of their grain fields and not gather the secondary gleanings of their crops. Rather, they were to be left for those in need. So when Ruth suggested that she go and gather the leftover grain, Naomi agreed to let her go.
Can you even imagine the hunger and desperation these women found themselves in? Desperation can get us to do things we normally wouldn’t. I can’t help believe that God was directing them towards food in a certain field so that He could show them how much He cared about them and had a plan for them.
In our desperation we often seek out things that will fill our needs immediately. But do we remember the promises of God like these two women? Even in her bitterness, Naomi remembered God’s commands. She was at her lowest point when she decided to try God’s way again. Naomi was humbled by her dire circumstances.
1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Humility can be forced upon us, but this verse says we must take the responsibility to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. He doesn’t force us into anything. When we do, He gently lifts our faces and says, “I will lift you out of this in My time, My perfect time.”
The Greek word for “right time,” is “kairos,” which means, “a point when something is ready or favorable.” God won’t move until He knows the time is right. Not, about right or kind of right, but perfectly right. This is where faith comes in to play. We may not understand why it’s taking so long to reach this perfect time but we can be sure that the Creator of this universe knows the best time for us.
Faith is not just sitting around waiting for something to happen. Faith is an active thing. It requires action on our parts. Look at Naomi; even in her grief she knew she had to move out and find food and shelter. Moab wasn't that place. Could it be that she felt the gentle nudging of her God to go to Bethlehem?
We see faith in action in Ruth. She got up and moved by picking up grain left behind from the harvesters. When she did, she found out that God had placed her in a great place in the fields of Boaz. We will learn more about this man soon. But, for right now, let’s decide to move out in faith and pick up the grain God has provided for us. You’ll never know what He has in store for you when you go in faith.
What is your definition of faith? Is God trying to get you to move out? Are you willing to take the steps of faith that gets us moving? Are you waiting for something to happen? Believe that God is guiding you and will direct your steps.
Proverbs 20:24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Let's move!
In our last devotion we learned about Naomi’s entrance into her hometown of Bethlehem. Apparently the women were surprised to see her. In fact, they weren’t sure it was her after ten years. She wasn’t with her husband Elimelech or her sons. Rather, she was with a stranger. Who was that young woman?
Naomi began her introduction by explaining that she was no longer named “Naomi,” which means “my joy,” but had taken on the name “Mara,” which means “bitter.” We know why Naomi was bitter. She even blamed God for changing the meaning of her name.
When I was younger I was called Carrie Anne. When I got older I changed my name to Carrie. I still, to this day, don’t like to be called Carrie Anne because it makes me feel like I’m a child. (Waa-waa., call the wambulance! ) I know that my parents named me after two very special people (their sisters), but I still don’t like it. Carrie sounds so much more sophisticated (yeah right). Maybe Carrie Anne reminds me of my insecurities. (Who knows?)
Could it be that Naomi didn’t like her name anymore because it brought back memories of happier times with her husband and her sons? Bittersweet memories that made her heart physically skip a beat or two. Maybe every time someone would say her name it made her heart ache so much she would rather be called by a name that described how she felt now. Her name didn’t affect her situation it affected her attitude.
It would be like me feeling dumb or ugly and telling everyone my name was "Dumb Ugly." Nice name right? But this is exactly what Naomi did. She dropped the joyful name for bitterness. What joyful name have you dropped for bitterness?
So with this new name Naomi began the next chapter in her life with a woman who gave up her life to follow her. I wonder how Ruth must have felt as she stood there hearing her beloved mother-in-law tell these women of her bitterness.
Naomi’s name didn’t affect her situation
it affected her attitude.
Ruth 2:1-3 Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”
Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.
The field where Ruth picked up grain was near the city of Bethlehem. This land is rich with Biblical history. Little did she know what God had in store for her in this bread basket of the Promised Land? Isn't it funny how God leads us places and surprises us with things. We often call it coincidence, but it's really God wanting to delight us.
Here is some interesting history of this little town known as Bethlehem. Take a look:
Genesis 35:18-19 Rachel (Jacob's wife) was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
1 Samuel 17:14-15 David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, but David (later King David) went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1-2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
Bethlehem was definitely a place where mighty things of God happened. This little town holds great significance historically as well as spiritually in the lives of the chosen people of Israel. The most significant is that our Lord Jesus Christ made His entrance, as God in human form, in the tiny helpless body of an infant.
We can see the scarlet thread of salvation running from the Old Testament to the New Testament. None of this was accidental or coincidental. It was God’s plan and He is still working out His plan in the perfection of His holiness.
Naomi knew that it was the command of God for the farmers to leave the corners of their grain fields and not gather the secondary gleanings of their crops. Rather, they were to be left for those in need. So when Ruth suggested that she go and gather the leftover grain, Naomi agreed to let her go.
Can you even imagine the hunger and desperation these women found themselves in? Desperation can get us to do things we normally wouldn’t. I can’t help believe that God was directing them towards food in a certain field so that He could show them how much He cared about them and had a plan for them.
In our desperation we often seek out things that will fill our needs immediately. But do we remember the promises of God like these two women? Even in her bitterness, Naomi remembered God’s commands. She was at her lowest point when she decided to try God’s way again. Naomi was humbled by her dire circumstances.
1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Humility can be forced upon us, but this verse says we must take the responsibility to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. He doesn’t force us into anything. When we do, He gently lifts our faces and says, “I will lift you out of this in My time, My perfect time.”
The Greek word for “right time,” is “kairos,” which means, “a point when something is ready or favorable.” God won’t move until He knows the time is right. Not, about right or kind of right, but perfectly right. This is where faith comes in to play. We may not understand why it’s taking so long to reach this perfect time but we can be sure that the Creator of this universe knows the best time for us.
Faith is not just sitting around waiting for something to happen. Faith is an active thing. It requires action on our parts. Look at Naomi; even in her grief she knew she had to move out and find food and shelter. Moab wasn't that place. Could it be that she felt the gentle nudging of her God to go to Bethlehem?
We see faith in action in Ruth. She got up and moved by picking up grain left behind from the harvesters. When she did, she found out that God had placed her in a great place in the fields of Boaz. We will learn more about this man soon. But, for right now, let’s decide to move out in faith and pick up the grain God has provided for us. You’ll never know what He has in store for you when you go in faith.
What is your definition of faith? Is God trying to get you to move out? Are you willing to take the steps of faith that gets us moving? Are you waiting for something to happen? Believe that God is guiding you and will direct your steps.
Proverbs 20:24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Let's move!
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Eight
"Is Your Name Bitter?"
Ruth 1:19-22 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
As we draw Chapter One of Ruth to a close, we will continue to travel on with Naomi and Ruth as they venture toward Bethlehem. Having settled the issue of whether Ruth would continue to accompany Naomi to the Promised Land, the women set out.
The women walked on together. We know this because the Hebrew word for “traveled on” is “halak” which means "to walk." Their journey wasn’t on donkeys or in a car. Theirs was a hard and long journey. It took about a week and a half with a rise in elevation of 2000 feet. As the crow flies, it was about 40 miles, but their journey took them around the Dead Sea and greatly increased their trek. It was extremely hot and long.
It had been at least ten years since Elimelech took his little family to Moab. So, when Naomi came home without him the women in Bethlehem weren’t sure if it was her or not. Time, tragedy and poverty had more than likely etched a few wrinkles in her face and turn a few hairs white on her head.
I remember going to my 25th High School reunion. It was fun for me to see everyone. Of course, some had changed more than others. The faces had aged and the hair was either gray ~ covered with color ~ or simply gone. Experiences of life had aged those teenagers I had known.
Can you imagine how Naomi must have felt as she walked into Bethlehem ten years later without the husband and sons she had left with ten years earlier? Instead she walked in with a Moabitess on her arm and hunger in her eyes.
Apparently Naomi was trying to explain her appearance. She had lost so much and had so little that I wonder if she was worried what the women thought of her. Were these the women she had grown up with? Did they marry around the same time? Did they have babies together? Whatever the reason, Naomi felt a need to explain herself.
Even well-fed with our faces washed and made up, we as women tend to think we need to explain our looks. We make apologies for the condition of our houses when people come over. When we receive a compliment most of us tend to pooh-pooh it.
The Hebrew word that Naomi has given herself is “Mara.” She states that it means “bitter.” But with bitterness comes other emotions. Anger seems to always accompany bitterness. It appears that she is angry toward God for the situation she is in.
Blaming God for our circumstances is common. Remember, she left the Promised Land with her people. Granted, her husband led her to Moab, but she had experienced the results of turning away from God’s provision. And now she blamed God for the dire situation she found herself in.
Little did she know that God was leading her back home. She was on a supernatural journey as well. Her life was over as she knew it and now she had to face people with her damaged, battered and bruised self. But, beyond all this God was at work and soon we will see how He would restore this bride of Elimelech. He would remind her of her name ~ Naomi ~ my joy.
Think about your life. Are there things that you blame God for? Why wasn't He there for you? Maybe you feel abandoned now. You've asked the question, "If God is a loving God, then why did He let this happen?"
God has big and strong shoulders. He wants to hear what you are feeling and thinking. Even though He already knows, He wants us to voice it. Let me say this though, that when we do approach God with our hurts and such, we should approach Him with the respect He deserves. Even if we don't agree with Him, He is still God. He's a loving God who allows choices in life. It's a fallen world. It has been since Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. And with a fallen world we have heartache and calamity, illness and death.
God knows our hurts and it grieves Him. It grieved Him so much that He made a way for a Savior to overcome this dark world and all its fallen-ness.
John 16:32-33 "But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus knows what it is like to feel abandoned. He was left by His dearest and closest friends to face a lonely cross and be accused of trumped-up charges. He faced this so that we could, through belief in Him, overcome this lost world and be accepted into His Kingdom.
He took on all our bitterness, sin and pride. He bore it all to make a way for us to approach God. He overcame death and rose to eternal life. He invites everyone to enjoy the benefits of this eternal destiny with Him. One day He will return and renew this planet and make His Kingdom here. AND we're invited! Now that's a loving God!
Let’s not change our names to "Mara.”(Bitter). Let’s except God's joy and delight. (Remember that we have a new name waiting for us.)
Naomi seems to forget the famine she and her family had left ten years before. Yes, she had her family intact, but she also left out the part about hunger and poverty. Sometimes we do the same. We look back and want what we used to have and forget about the way things really were. Things weren’t right for Elimelech and Naomi. They had walked away from God’s promises. They didn’t bend their knees before Him and ask for His help as far as we can tell. They searched for filling somewhere else.
Where do you look for your needs to be met? Do you look to the bottle of prescription drugs? Do you look to your loved ones to fill that need? Do you look to blame someone else to release some of the guilt and regret you feel? Is your name "bitter?"
So we close Chapter One with Naomi explaining herself and her situation. Did you notice that she didn’t introduce Ruth? The last verse says, “And so Naomi was back, and Ruth the foreigner with her, back from the country of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” She was back and not only that, she had a foreign daughter-in-law with her. The Israelites were not supposed to marry outside their people and here she was with Ruth a Moabitess in tow. She forgot to introduce faithful Ruth who had been beside her every step of the way.
I wonder what everyone thought. Did they think she had brought her suffering on herself? Or did they agree with her that God was angry? We’ll see that God had something else in mind for these two women. And the good news is that He has something far better in store for us too.
What is your name? Are you called "bitter?" Do you forget the Faithful One standing beside you just as Naomi did to Ruth when she faced the women of Bethlehem? Do you or have you blamed the God who gave up His Son for you?
John 3:16-17 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
It's hard to trust God when so many things happen to cause you to want to blame and not trust Him. I'm there right with you. I'm asking myself the same things. But this I do know and take on as my life's shield ~ Jesus has overcome the world!
Ruth 1:19-22 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
As we draw Chapter One of Ruth to a close, we will continue to travel on with Naomi and Ruth as they venture toward Bethlehem. Having settled the issue of whether Ruth would continue to accompany Naomi to the Promised Land, the women set out.
The women walked on together. We know this because the Hebrew word for “traveled on” is “halak” which means "to walk." Their journey wasn’t on donkeys or in a car. Theirs was a hard and long journey. It took about a week and a half with a rise in elevation of 2000 feet. As the crow flies, it was about 40 miles, but their journey took them around the Dead Sea and greatly increased their trek. It was extremely hot and long.
It had been at least ten years since Elimelech took his little family to Moab. So, when Naomi came home without him the women in Bethlehem weren’t sure if it was her or not. Time, tragedy and poverty had more than likely etched a few wrinkles in her face and turn a few hairs white on her head.
I remember going to my 25th High School reunion. It was fun for me to see everyone. Of course, some had changed more than others. The faces had aged and the hair was either gray ~ covered with color ~ or simply gone. Experiences of life had aged those teenagers I had known.
Can you imagine how Naomi must have felt as she walked into Bethlehem ten years later without the husband and sons she had left with ten years earlier? Instead she walked in with a Moabitess on her arm and hunger in her eyes.
Apparently Naomi was trying to explain her appearance. She had lost so much and had so little that I wonder if she was worried what the women thought of her. Were these the women she had grown up with? Did they marry around the same time? Did they have babies together? Whatever the reason, Naomi felt a need to explain herself.
Even well-fed with our faces washed and made up, we as women tend to think we need to explain our looks. We make apologies for the condition of our houses when people come over. When we receive a compliment most of us tend to pooh-pooh it.
The Hebrew word that Naomi has given herself is “Mara.” She states that it means “bitter.” But with bitterness comes other emotions. Anger seems to always accompany bitterness. It appears that she is angry toward God for the situation she is in.
Blaming God for our circumstances is common. Remember, she left the Promised Land with her people. Granted, her husband led her to Moab, but she had experienced the results of turning away from God’s provision. And now she blamed God for the dire situation she found herself in.
Little did she know that God was leading her back home. She was on a supernatural journey as well. Her life was over as she knew it and now she had to face people with her damaged, battered and bruised self. But, beyond all this God was at work and soon we will see how He would restore this bride of Elimelech. He would remind her of her name ~ Naomi ~ my joy.
Think about your life. Are there things that you blame God for? Why wasn't He there for you? Maybe you feel abandoned now. You've asked the question, "If God is a loving God, then why did He let this happen?"
God has big and strong shoulders. He wants to hear what you are feeling and thinking. Even though He already knows, He wants us to voice it. Let me say this though, that when we do approach God with our hurts and such, we should approach Him with the respect He deserves. Even if we don't agree with Him, He is still God. He's a loving God who allows choices in life. It's a fallen world. It has been since Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. And with a fallen world we have heartache and calamity, illness and death.
God knows our hurts and it grieves Him. It grieved Him so much that He made a way for a Savior to overcome this dark world and all its fallen-ness.
John 16:32-33 "But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus knows what it is like to feel abandoned. He was left by His dearest and closest friends to face a lonely cross and be accused of trumped-up charges. He faced this so that we could, through belief in Him, overcome this lost world and be accepted into His Kingdom.
He took on all our bitterness, sin and pride. He bore it all to make a way for us to approach God. He overcame death and rose to eternal life. He invites everyone to enjoy the benefits of this eternal destiny with Him. One day He will return and renew this planet and make His Kingdom here. AND we're invited! Now that's a loving God!
Let’s not change our names to "Mara.”(Bitter). Let’s except God's joy and delight. (Remember that we have a new name waiting for us.)
Naomi seems to forget the famine she and her family had left ten years before. Yes, she had her family intact, but she also left out the part about hunger and poverty. Sometimes we do the same. We look back and want what we used to have and forget about the way things really were. Things weren’t right for Elimelech and Naomi. They had walked away from God’s promises. They didn’t bend their knees before Him and ask for His help as far as we can tell. They searched for filling somewhere else.
Where do you look for your needs to be met? Do you look to the bottle of prescription drugs? Do you look to your loved ones to fill that need? Do you look to blame someone else to release some of the guilt and regret you feel? Is your name "bitter?"
So we close Chapter One with Naomi explaining herself and her situation. Did you notice that she didn’t introduce Ruth? The last verse says, “And so Naomi was back, and Ruth the foreigner with her, back from the country of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” She was back and not only that, she had a foreign daughter-in-law with her. The Israelites were not supposed to marry outside their people and here she was with Ruth a Moabitess in tow. She forgot to introduce faithful Ruth who had been beside her every step of the way.
I wonder what everyone thought. Did they think she had brought her suffering on herself? Or did they agree with her that God was angry? We’ll see that God had something else in mind for these two women. And the good news is that He has something far better in store for us too.
What is your name? Are you called "bitter?" Do you forget the Faithful One standing beside you just as Naomi did to Ruth when she faced the women of Bethlehem? Do you or have you blamed the God who gave up His Son for you?
John 3:16-17 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
It's hard to trust God when so many things happen to cause you to want to blame and not trust Him. I'm there right with you. I'm asking myself the same things. But this I do know and take on as my life's shield ~ Jesus has overcome the world!
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