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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Boaz redeemed Ruth with material wealth, but you redeemed me, “not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet 1:18–19). Jesus bought me with His blood! He paid the ultimate price to redeem me from the slavery of sin and bring me into your holy presence. I praise you today and exalt your name. Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me the story of Ruth. Ruth showed true love for her mother-in-law Naomi by remaining faithful to her after the death of her husband. She also vowed to stay with Naomi and worship you alone. As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standard of high moral living for the other nations. Yet it was Ruth, a Moabite, who displayed genuine spiritual character in the days when the Israelites left you for other gods. This teaches me that you desire “all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). Boaz treated Ruth with compassion when she and Naomi needed food, and he happily took her as his wife. You enabled her to bear a child who would be the forefather of David, Israel’s greatest king. In this way Ruth was an ancestor of Jesus, the promised Messiah! Ruth was unaware of the role that she played in your plan to save the world, and this teaches me that there may be great things that you will accomplish through me even after I’ve completed my earthly service. If I remain faithful to you, my life and legacy will extend far beyond my lifetime, and the rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you call on me to make! Reflection Boaz was Ruth’s relative, and so he was able to act as her goel, her kinsman-redeemer. Since I am flesh and blood, Jesus “likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb 2:14–15). Praise the Lord! Request Father, the lives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz inspire me to live a life of daily obedience to you. Help me to walk worthy of my high and holy calling and to always honor your Son’s sacrifice. Thanksgiving Thank you for being my goel! You not only rescued me from the chains of sin, but you also adopted me as your child. I can now cry, “Abba! Father!” and come boldly into your presence to “find grace to help in time of need” (Rom 8:15; Heb 4:16). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!” by Frances J. Crosby. Meditation Verse: Ruth 1:16–17. |