READING: Ruth 1-4
Today is one of the fun days of Bible reading when we get to read an entire book in one sitting. In this book, God’s hand is evident behind the events:
- A famine led Elimilech to move his family to Moab, where Elimelich’s wife Naomi would eventually meet Ruth.
- The Lord produced food again in Bethlehem, to which Naomi and Ruth would return: “When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there” (Ruth 1:6).
- Even when Naomi was bitter about the events of her life (losing her husband and both her sons to death), she knew God was in control.
- The Lord led Ruth to glean in the field of Boaz.
- Boaz “just happened” to show up while Ruth was in the field.
- Boaz heard about Ruth’s great love and care for her mother-in-law, Naomi.
- God gave Boaz and Ruth a child who would become a forerunner in the line of David: "So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son” (Ruth 4:13).
- The nation whose story ended in Judges without a moral king would get David — and ultimately Jesus — as king.
What is most striking to me today is God’s working out the details so Boaz and Ruth would meet. He divinely intersected their lives, cleared the way when another kinsman-redeemer chose not to carry out his duty, and gave Boaz and Ruth offspring. Neither could know at the time just how he would use their relationship to pave the way for a Redeemer to come.
Not only does God connect us with those who would be our spouses, but He also connects us with others who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Somehow, He deepens relationships that sometimes go even deeper than the relationships in our family of origin — and through them He works out His plan toward the future. That truth means that we need to build, strengthen, and honor our relationships today.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps:
- Review your most significant relationships today, and consider what God did to connect you with those who mean so much to you. Thank Him for these gifts.
- Spend time praying that God will use your relationships to spread His fame today and in the future.
- Be alert to new divine connections today. Be open to investing in others.
PRAYER: “Lord, You are so good to connect us with those we love. Use our relationships today for Your glory.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 1-3
