GOD’S PLANS
Suggested Reading: Ruth 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Boaz was from Bethlehem. The fields of Boaz (in the foreground) are now taken up with communities, roads and tunnels with protective walls such as this one. You can see Bethlehem just behind the first hill on the right.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
Ruth had little reason to expect anything good from life. As a young widow she travelled with her mother-in-law, also a widow, to a land completely foreign to her. There the two widows had no human reason to expect anything other than a harsh, hand-to-mouth existence. In Bethlehem they would glean some grain to make bread and live on the generosity of others. But God had a different plan. Ruth is redeemed by Boaz. This redemption is a picture of what our divine Redeemer, a descendant of Boaz and Ruth, Jesus of Nazareth, has done for us. Naomi, who had lost her husband and two sons, would now have a grandson, Obed, and a great-grandson, Jesse, followed by a great-great-grandson, King David.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are my Kinsman Redeemer. You were born right there in Bethlehem, where Ruth gave birth to Your ancestor Obed. Help me, dear God, to trust Your long-term plans which are for my good. Also, help me to trust Your short-term plans. You had everything arranged for Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. I’m trusting You to guide each step I take. In Your caring Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My sister-in-law, Evelyn, lost her first husband and her only two children in a tragic car accident many years ago. She could have been in total depression, and one would’ve expected her to withdraw from life. But instead, she went from church to church telling of the grace of God which she was experiencing. As a result, many came to faith in Christ, including members of her family. Like Ruth, she declared her faith in God and God restored her. She married my brother-in-law, Ralph Rutledge, and God gave her 3 more children, Ruth, David, and Jonathan. Malachi 3:6 tells me about God’s faithfulness, “I am the Lord, I do not change.”
I expect, God willing, to be in Bethlehem in the middle of November of this year, along with some of you who read my blog. Two weeks in Israel will forever alter our lives. The trip information is online here.
Yours for trusting God in all things,
David
P.S. Yesterday, I mentioned my daughter quoting Ruth 1:16 in the Arabic language to Nizar on their wedding day back in May of 1983. Here is a link to that portion of their wedding in Cana of Galilee, Nizar’s home village. I am still experiencing the joy of that wonderful day.
Psalm 52:1b “The goodness of God endureth continually.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Evelyn is unique woman – a lovely Christian lady. It was a priveledge to have been in the choir with her for ten years. I remember Ellen and Nizar’s wedding on TV – very impressive and lovely. God is so good.
Lamentations 3: 22-23, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”
The book of Ruth has been empowering. God has His own plans for us, which serve His kingdom. He will make them apparent when we simply have faith and trust in Him. All for the glory of God!
“Give thanks to the God of heaven.
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:26
Thanks for the link, David. Blessings to all, today…
Many years ago Evelyn shared her testimony at our Christian Women’s meeting here in Georgetown, I was touched by her sincere desire to bring glory to God and to serve Him..loved the wedding clip, just wish I could see more..I love your Blog, and have shared it with many…you are in my thoughts and prayers.
l too had the privilege of hearing Evelyn share her story, how God gave her a wonderful new beginning after the tragic death of her husband and two small children,yet sparing her life. God restored to Evelyn and gave her a new husband and three wonderful children, her story is so encouraging that God has plans we don’t know anything about, so we must even in the worst scenarios cast ourselves into his care and trust that he is Love.
I was so uplifted and blessed watching the wedding vows of that young handsome couple. Very beautiful. Thanks for posting it along with your terrific blog, David. God bless you and your whole family.
Thank you David for sharing your daughters wedding vow to Nizar. What a beautiful testimony to their love. The book of Ruth has always been one of my favorites, it’s a beautiful testimony of God’s love towards us in redeeming us. His love through Jesus Christ is the most precious gift of all.
My heart and prayers are with Israel, they have been for many years. It would be such an unbelievable dream to go there with you all in November. I am starting to save and leaving it in our wonderful Lords Hands .
My prayers are with you David always for strength and healing. I was blessed as always by all the comments of the bloggers, may God richly bless you all with a great day.