Christi’s Bible Journal April 9-15

12 Apr Christi’s Bible Journal April 9-15

Do Hard Things, Selflessly, Kindly and Often

The book of Ruth, a short 4 chapter book:
It’s a story of a poor, young widow; an even poorer old widow & a wealthy middle aged land-owner. A long journey. Hard work. Obedience & Boldness and Trust. Faith in God And GOD’s redemption plan. Four scriptures to summarize a beautiful redemptive story: Two widows, Mother and daughter-in law begin a journey from the land of Moab back to the land of Judah. Ruth insists on leaving her parents and country of birth to follow Naomi. Ruth’s heart is to selflessly stay with Naomi, setting aside her own prospects of remarrying, all that is familiar, and living near her family.

Scripture:
“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you: for where you go, I will go …your people shall be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

Observation:
Ruth chose the HARD path, but the one that she knew in her HEART was the RIGHT path. Ruth and Naomi arrive in Judah tired, poor and Ruth must glean in the fields, fending off thieves and others whose intentions are to harm her, to get enough grain for food. She is noticed by Boaz, a wealthy land-owner and a distant relative, who orders his servants to leave extra grain for Ruth to glean. He investigates who she is and finds a pleasant surprise:

Scripture:
“All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and came to a people that you didn’t know.” Ruth 2:11

Observation:
Ruth was faithful & kind to her Mother-in-law; she trusted in God for her future and provisions. Ruth continued working the fields gleaning to provide for herself and Naomi.

Scripture:
“May the Lord reward your work.” Ruth 2:12

Observation:
Ruth was rewarded for her work! It is beautiful that the Lord rewarded her for her faithful hard work. It became known that this land-owner, Boaz, who had taken notice of Ruth, was also a relative. Naomi instructed Ruth to let Boaz know that she was a relative – in hopes that he might marry her to carry on the line of her husband who had died as her kinsmen redeemer. Ruth carefully, respectfully, and boldly followed all of Naomi’s instructions. Boaz received it favorably! He was taken with her humility, her strength, her faithful devotion to her mother-in-law and he wanted to marry her!

Scripture:
“May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men (Boaz was older) “… for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.”

Observation:
Ruth’s reputation had preceded her. Her faithfulness was known to all.

Application:
May we choose the HARD, but RIGHT path, work hard with all of our might, be faithful to the Lord to trust HIM, be kind an faithful to the friendships that the Lord has placed in our lives. May we be BOLD to do hard things. May we earn a reputation that is of excellence for our faithfulness to God!

Prayer:
Lord help me choose the HARD path that you have shown me. Give me the desire and strength to stay on the path, to be faithful to you. Help me to be kind, selfless and mindful of others that you bring along my way and may I show them love and kindness. Give me boldness to do the right thing when you ask. Thank you for your guidance, your provision, and your love!