'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take Him at His word;
just to rest upon His promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O FOR GRACE TO TRUST HIM MORE!
Ruth was a Moabitess and in prejudice eyes a woman of "loose" character who worshiped foreign gods. It was within the Hebrew law that no foreigner should enter the home and defile it...so you can only imagine the "welcome" she received when she finally got to Bethlehem. In order to prove herself a godly woman she had to LIVE an exemplary life before the people showing her love and devotion first and foremost to God and then to those around her. Ruth chose to abandon all else to chase after God. What courage this young woman had! She stepped out into unknown territory where close to no one would accept her for who she was based on appearances, and yet, with the great faith she had in God she took steps forward trusting God would meet, protect, and provide their every need! She clearly loved the Lord with all her heart, all her mind, and all her strength (Mark 12:30)…as her faith was tested and tried over and over again. She leaned upon God when she was weak and knew that then He was strong. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Ruth sought the Lord for His provision…seeking His direction to lead her to the right job. I think a lot of the time we expect God to hand us things on a silver platter because we prayed for them, but He specifically tells us to ask, seek, and knock. (Matt. 7:7-8) My parents were always very clear to me that if I do my part God will do His, and where God guides He provides!
We see how perfect God’s timing is over and over. Naomi and Ruth made it to Bethlehem exactly at the beginning of the harvest. When there seemed like no hope in sight for work…God knew...and He led. It was written in the Law that the edges of the fields were to be left untouched for the poor and stranger. (Lev. 19:9-10) God reminds His people of His heart to care for and look after the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. (Deut. 24:19-22) He is a merciful redeemer and a gracious protector. Ruth walked in this grace and in doing so walked right into the arms of divine providence.
Ruth’s reputation was that of a hard worker – I am sure until her hands were raw and blistered and she was entirely covered in sweat and dirt. Each minute of daylight was important to her and she threw herself fully into the labor and was grateful for every moment because the Lord had answered her prayers and provided for her and Naomi. She had strong moral character, sensitivity, kindness, and loyalty. Everything she did was an act of selfless love. She was a woman who had a gentle and quiet spirit, who humbled herself to serve others before herself, and always showed great compassion. It was the inward beauty that shone brilliantly from Ruth. Ladies...let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:4
Ruth wasn’t placing herself in a position to be noticed, she wasn’t adorning herself to be recognized by men, she was serving the Lord and focused on the tasks at hand. She let God be completely in control, she was content being in the center of His hand. She trusted fully in God to be her husband and her provider, as we all should as young women. God laid before Ruth a test of character and in it He was well-pleased and opened up doors of opportunity.
The Lord never ceases to reward/bless those who are willing and humble to walk in obedience according to His will. When having waves of anxiety or doubt remember His faithfulness.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
There is so much more to come…
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