Romans 8:28 NIV — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
If you have not done so before now, I encourage you to read the entire book of Ruth. Although God is rarely talked about in the book of Ruth, He is at work throughout the book. God is also at work in your life. Take time today to sit and reflect on God’s work in your life. In what situations have you seen the hand of God at work on your behalf? Where has God worked for good for you? Finish this week by turning your reflection into a gratitude list of the times and ways God has protected, provided, and worked for your good, even when you couldn’t see His work at first.
Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for always working for my good. Forgive me for times when I have doubted Your presence. May I always remember that You are always working for my good. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today let’s ponder the character of Boaz from the book of Ruth. As we read in Ruth 2, Boaz was a man of noble character. As the guardian redeemer he proved to be generous and loyal. Boaz admired Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and was generous when he directed her to stay with his workers to gather grain until the harvest was completed. Boaz later proved to be noble and loyal when he embraced his role as the guardian redeemer and took Ruth as his wife.
Now I ask you to compare Boaz’s response to Ruth with your response to God. When have you shown that you are noble? How have you been loyal to God? When have you been generous to God or to others on God’s behalf?
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the example of Boaz. May I be an example of loyalty and generosity in Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Ruth 3:4-9 NIV — “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[ of our family.”
Yesterday I shared with you how Ruth was a woman of noble character and how loyal she was to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Today I would like for us to focus on how Ruth exhibited boldness. Being bold means showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous. Imagine being in Ruth’s position. She took a risk by going with Naomi to a foreign land without a husband to provide and protect her. She searched for work and was confident she would be able to find a job that would help her take care of their needs. She was courageous in the way she went to Boaz and asked him to take care of her and Naomi. Ruth was bold. Ruth stepped out in faith as a water walker.
When have you exhibited boldness? When has God asked you to step out in faith? When have you been a water walker? Is God calling you into the water today?
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the example of boldness given by Ruth. Help me to be bold and step into the water. Guide and direct my steps as I strive to be a water walker. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Ruth 1:16-17 NIV — But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
The book of Ruth not only tells of Naomi’s journey through grief, but it also unwraps the beautiful relationship between Ruth and Naomi. Naomi’s husband and both sons died. Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law, who were both also grieving the loss of their husbands. The grief must have felt stifling. Naomi decided to return to her homeland and told her daughters-in-law to return to their mother’s home. One daughter-in-law went back home, but her daughter-in-law named Ruth stayed with her. As the story unfolds, we learn of Ruth’s noble character and loyalty to Naomi. Ruth traveled with Naomi, found work so she could provide for Naomi, and eventually stepped out in faith by reaching out to Boaz for Naomi.
To whom or what are you loyal? To whom or what do you devote your time and attention? How do you show loyalty? Ponder these questions as you go about your day.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the example of loyalty provided by Ruth. May I show such love and loyalty to my friends and family. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
This week we will explore the Bible characters of Ruth and Boaz. Both of them showed bold faith in their actions. As you prepare for our week ahead, listen to You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music and Oceans by Hillsong United.
As we have walked through and revisited loss, mourning and grief this week I have been able to savor the beautiful memories of comfort I have experienced.
During the recent loss of my father in-law, Larry, our family was overwhelmed by all of the love and support we received. We were flooded by friends and family who were agents of comfort. I would like to share some that meant the most to me.
A few moments after Larry passed away, we all texted or called to notify others. The first phone call my husband received back was from our pastor who asked to pray with us. Clark put the call on speaker as we all gathered around my mother in-law in prayer. For that one moment the hands of time stopped as we all collectively called out to God for mercy, grace, and comfort. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
The relentless and tireless comfort given by the funeral home will always be etched in my mind. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
My college roommate was the first one at our house the next morning. She brought Chic-fil-a chicken minis and fruit. She sat and talked with me as the events of the night before sank in. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
One of my best friends ran errands with me and helped me think through choices. She even bought plants for my front porch to be a welcoming greeting as visitors arrived. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
The texts, phone calls, and visits from far and near were continuous. The idea that so many took time from their own busy schedules to be present was overwhelming. What beautiful agents of comfort.
The continuous outpouring of snacks, meals, drinks, and paper products were examples of love and generosity. What beautiful agents of comfort.
The abundance of flowers sent and trees planted in Larry’s memory will forever be reminders of his sweet memory. What beautiful agents of comfort.
I will always savor all of these beautiful agents of comfort. My prayer is that I will also be an agent of comfort to others when they experience loss and grief.
We began our week together walking through grief with Naomi from the book of Ruth. I then asked you to reconnect with your own experiences with grief and sorrow. Today I leave you with some articles and information on dealing with grief. As you read and as you may have realized through your own experiences, there is no one size fits all grief protocol. Each of us must walk through our mourning in our own way and in our own time. With that in mind, I ask that you continually extend love and grace to those who may be mourning. Use your own experiences to help shape you as an agent of comfort.
