Daily Treasure

“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 kinsman” (Ruth 2:20).

Often times the course of true love hits a bump in the road. Ruth and Boaz were in love. However, as was discussed last month, the “levirate law” was in effect. Not a problem you might be thinking. It was determined that Boaz was a kinsman from Elimelech’s family. Here comes that “bump in the road.” There is kinsman nearer than him that must be dealt with before wedding plans are started. Will this story have a happy ending? There are some redemption issues that could hinder the outcome. Tomorrow we will begin to set the stage for a “rendezvous at a threshingfloor.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for Sam and June McVay as they prepare for their return to Spain in March. They are also awaiting the arrival of their first grandchild.

“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10).

In Ruth 2:8-9, we see Boaz begin to show his love for Ruth by being very protective of her. He wanted what was best for her and went to great lengths to make it happen. Ruth was willing to work for her and Naomi’s livelihood. Boaz wanted to do what he could to make it easier without controlling her life. Ruth was very grateful but she had some insecurities. Boaz was a godly, wealthy man who could have his choice of any woman in Bethlehem or anywhere else. Ruth was a Moabite widow in a strange land. She had to wonder why he would even bother with her. Even if she was falling madly in love with him, why had she found such favor with him? In Ruth 2:11-12, Boaz assures Ruth that he knows everything about her and her relationship with Naomi. This knowledge has only made him love her more.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Please pray for WNAC President Rebecca Pugh and the WNAC Executive Committee as they labor together in 2009.

“Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers. Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab” (Ruth 2:5-6).

 

If I were to put Boaz’s reaction into some of our words, it might be similar to “Wow! Where have you been all my life?” From what I read about Ruth she was considered quite a beauty. However, she was not one of the local women so it was natural for Boaz to inquire about her. Tomorrow we will see how a very “smitten” Boaz begins to put his feelings into action. There would be no “pick up lines” or improper moves on Ruth. Boaz was very much in love! His actions were going to prove it.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Plan to be more involved in your WAC group in this new year. Begin with prayer.

“And Ruth, the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech” (Ruth 2:2-3).

 

Ruth wasn’t content to sit around and mope about her and Naomi’s circumstances. She wanted to do something productive. Naomi told her about the time of harvest and about a man from her late husband’s family named Boaz. He owned some fields but there were so many fields that needed workers. Which would be the right one? Ruth had never met Boaz or any of the workers. The fields had no markers or signs on them so how was Ruth going to find her way to the right place? Ruth may not have had this knowledge, but God sure did. If we are willing to do our best, God will do the rest. The odds Ruth would just happen to stumble onto the right place at the right time was God making it happen. Trust God to lead you in a plain path when you feel bewildered.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for the February business meeting of the Belo Horizonte Church in Brazil when new officers for the coming year will be elected.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Midwinter is difficult for missionaries in Central Asia as they endure harsh weather. Pray that God would lift their spirits and warm their hearts today.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Ask God to reveal new areas of service you can provide for WNAC at all levels.

“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the barley harvest” (Ruth 1:22).

 

Naomi may have come back to her homeland, sadder but wiser, but the main thing is she returned. She would no longer be a stranger in a foreign land. The people knew and accepted her, in spite of a ten year absence. She was back where she belonged and it felt so right. Naomi had been restored. Now it was time for healing. What better place for that to happen than back “home”!

 

It wasn’t going to be easy for Naomi and Ruth since they had no food or money. It was high time to stop crying and do something about their plight. Sitting down and quitting was not an option. It was no accident they just happened to return to Bethlehem in the beginning of the “barley harvest.”

           

Dear friend, if you are going through a “famine” in your life and you feel no one really cares, God cares! Feed upon His Word and spend time with Him in prayer. He will provide for your every need according to Philippians 4:19.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for February’s Cleo Pursell Foreign Student Scholarship Fund offering.