Strong Faith (April 7)

In those days Israel had no king - everyone did as he saw fit.

Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband died, and she was left with her two sons.  They married Moabite women...one... named Ruth....Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband...with her two daughters-in-law she left...and set out...to the land of Judah.  Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "go back...to your mother's home."

Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good bye...But Ruth replied, "...Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God."...so the two women went on to Bethlehem.

Naomi had a relative...Boaz.  Ruth...went out and began to glean in... a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech...

Boaz said to Ruth, "...don't go away from here...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."...

Boaz,..."That man is our close relative, he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."
                                              From Judges 21 & Ruth 1-2 NIV


Here again we are reminded that Israel had no king and that everyone did as they saw fit.  Think back on all of God's decrees and commands.  Read again Deuteronomy 12:8, where instructions are given not to do as one sees fit.  Doing as one sees fit, without the guidance of God, can easily lead to a left or right turn, and can lead us not to retain the knowledge of God.  As a result, Romans 1:28 advises us that God will give those who do not retain knowledge of him over to a depraved mind to do what ought not be done.

Here too we read of Ruth, a person of faith in God; who does not abandon Naomi but rather advises us in a beautiful sentence that, your people will be my people and your God my God.  This is done on the way from her homeland to Bethlehem in Judah, a place where she meets a kinsman-redeemer!!!!

Who before had faith to leave his homeland and as a result was abundantly blessed with two sons, Esau and Isaac?  Who from Bethlehem, also a descendant of Ruth & Boaz, is our kinsman-redeemer?  Who redeems us from our sin by His death on a cross and by His resurrection, overcame death on Easter Sunday?    

What places in your life are you, "doing as you see fit?"

How can you grow Spiritually, in faith, toward that place of unity with our kinsman-redeemer, Christ?

Pray for safety at home, at work and at play.

In Christ,

David P