Ruth 2:8-12
So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." - Ruth 2:8-12
(To get the most out of today's devotional prayer read all of Ruth 2.)
Dear heavenly Father,
It's very helpful for me to see these two godly people collide. Boaz was a wealthy male Israelite. Ruth was a poor Moabite woman. Boaz had multifaceted strength in his community. Ruth had nothing but her health and willingness to use her hands and feet to help her mother in law. Ruth and Boaz couldn't have been more different in outward circumstances but they found a clear connection because of their inner life, which is faith driven character. Boaz valued character more than wealth, looks and influence. So, Boaz drew near to encourage his sister in the faith. He praised her faith driven generosity for Naomi. He protected her from harm and refused to exploit her vulnerabilities. Lord, make me like Boaz, one who values the inner wealth of faith driven character in others, one who encourages such faith and protects people who are vulnerable. Make me a person that the Ruth's of our day would feel comfortable around. I want to be that true gentleman that you saved me to be. And yes, Lord, you can start by making more of a gentleman to the women in my family and church family even before those out in the community.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Focus on godly service and let God focus on opening doors for you.
