Reclaiming the Truth
“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” Ruth 1:16-18
“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth”. Ruth 4:15
Redeeming the Time
In the midst of becoming a widow herself, we find an interruption of divine love and see a glimpse of divine loyalty. Ruth exhibits deep loyalty to Naomi and to Naomi’s God. What Ruth knows of God, she knows from Ruth. In the midst of famine, Ruth boldly and courageously says, “I will follow you, I will worship your God who allows such things”. Can you feel such loyalty, belief and sincere love?
We read of Naomi’s hardship and the beauty of relationships grounded in holiness. Ruth leaves Naomi no choice but to receive for such a time. In the midst of dark and trial, Naomi opens her heart to receive the loyalty and love being expressed to her. According to Naomi, she had nothing to give back, she couldn’t pay for this love being offered. She receives God’s love expressed through Ruth fully and freely. Today our God is knocking, inviting and pursing His children. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock….” (Revelation 3.20)
Just when we think our story cannot be redeemed, He is making a way, He is clearing the path for Jesus, our Redeemer, to be brought to the door of our heart. We are not too much, our sin is not too great, our despair is not out of God’s reach. Dare we question the tribulations of life without certainty of His love that has rescued us?
He has come for you. Rest in His redemption today.
Reflection
- Who do you see God to be in this story?
- Who do you see God to be in your story?
- How is God’s loyalty and love expressed to you and through you?
Resting in His Redemption
Let’s rest in the words of Jesus today from John 15.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.” John 15.9-17
