Read Ruth 2:17-20
17. “So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
18. And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
19. And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
20. And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Verse 17 & 18 shows us just exactly God blesses us and that with the intentions of a selfless act we will be blessed. Ruth out for effort and Boaz put forth generosity resulting in Naomi and Ruth’s needs being met. Ruth worked tirelessly in the fields and shared what she worked for with Naomi to help fulfill her needs as well as Ruth’s own needs.
My Bible says “In her sorrow (Naomi’s), she still trusted God and acknowledged Helios goodness. Choose to be hopeful. Each day is a new opportunity to experience Gods gracious provision.”
The study book says, “Kindness here is hesed—the covenant, faithful, and steadfast love of God. Naomi’s bitter heart began to melt as she began to see Hod working for her in faithfulness and steadfast hesed love. The solution to our own bitterness is to see God’s steadfast love for us. We need to be reminded that He is for us and not against us— that His ways are so much higher than our own.”
what is a situation in your life that seemed bad in the moment and yet you saw God being good from it?God will use bad situations to redirect us. During the times of bad you will be able to reflect and regroup on opportunities that may arise and gather the “why”. He is behind the scenes of every thing that happens in our lives. Sometimes things like losing a job or not receiving the promotion you want is just God protecting us from a situation or maybe allowing something better to come down the road.
What are you tempted to grow bitter about, and how does God’s character remind you to trust Him?I can often be tempted to grow bitter when things are not on MY timeline or why God seems silent and not moving in my life. However, I know I need to be patient, but it is hard most times. When I feel that bitter feeling coming about I try to redirect my thoughts to focus on what I’m thankful for that he has blessed me with and my prayer life.
How should the knowledge of God’s love change your outlook on your solution?Gods love is steadfast and unchanging. I read something a few weeks ago that said something towards the lines of shifting your focus from fears to a focus of trust.
Dear Lord,Please help me to love like Jesus and understand that Gods love is steadfast—with kindness, patience, and selflessness. Teach me to see others through Your eyes and to reflect Your love in my words and actions. Fill my heart with Your grace, so I can share it and be a light to someone.
-Amen