The Faithful God (Feb 11)
Set in the context of unrest during
time of Judges & faced with famine,
Ruth a young widow, leaves her
native land to travel with her
mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of
Boaz, who grows to love her and
becomes her kinsman-redeemer.
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Jesus.
With twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
shows God’s love to mankind.
Lord, we see Your Faithfulness:
When she heard the Lord helping
his pple by providing food, Naomi
& her daughters-in-law set out to
Judah. Then Naomi said: Go back
to your mother’s home… But Ruth
clung to her: Don’t urge me to
leave you…Where you go I will go.
Your people will be my people &
your God my God (Ruth 1:6-16).
Boaz said to Ruth: Do not glean
in another field but stay close by…
She said Why have I found favour
in your eyes? Boaz answered;
it has been fully reported to me
all that you have done for your
mother-in-law since the death
of your husband. The Lord repay
your work and a full reward be
given you by the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings you
have come for refuge(Ru 2:8-12)
Lord, we see in the love story
that Ruth’s life was guided by
faithfulness toward God and
showed itself in loyalty towards
the people she knew. And through
the story we can also perceive
Your faithfulness to Your people.
Help us to be loyal and loving by
imitating Your faithfulness in our
relationships with others. Amen.
Lord, during difficult times,
like in the current Covid season,
it is easy to be inward looking and
not to be faithful to one another.
We are inspired by the loyalty
of Ruth whose affirming words
greatly encouraged Naomi.
Lord, we need your empowering
of courage so that we can be so faithful to one another. Amen.
Lord, we see Your loving care and
protection over the lives of Naomi
and Ruth. For Your supreme control
over circumstances brings security.
For You guide the minds and action
of people to fulfill Your purpose;
like impressing Boaz of Ruth’s
loyalty that he gave her favour.
Grant us the faith that no matter
how tough our situation may be,
our hope is You God for Your power
and resources are infinite. Amen.