Wednesday, December 12

RUTH

Ruth 1: 1-18

There is a young man in the book of Ruth, who is a picture of Christ’s tender love. This man, Boaz, owned many fields needing to be gleaned during the harvest, and there were multitudes of nameless servants under his care. What is one more maiden, and what could this added one mean to him? The treasure is in the coming, and “she came softly.”

The past had proven unfulfilling in her distant land of Moab, leaving an empty heart with the loss of her former love. In this new land of Bethlehem, there is hope for her, and there is hope for you and me. In the meeting of Boaz, he, in true acceptance, told her, “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” He wanted her in his presence and keeping, under his care, guiding, and love. This is the way that our God is toward all of us who come as His “love,” for He says, “Whoever comes to me, I will in no wise cast out,” and, “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.”

In the stillness of the night, yet, with fire burning in her heart, Ruth came “softly”—humbly and openly—and uncovered her future husband’s feet, laying herself down there. Putting away the life that could have unfolded in her homeland city, and all the dazzling things that could have satisfied for a season, in this one place and position, she was accepted. Healing was in the hem of a garment, as it also was for the woman cured by touching Jesus’ cloak. No more alone, our Master, who is our Maker, has now become our “Kinsman Redeemer,” like Boaz to Ruth, taking the shoddy, unfulfilled past, and giving us a “hope and a future.” We must have Him, now our only Hope.

STRANGER

Lord, your eyes loved me, though I was a stranger,

Tenderly yearned for me, though I stayed alone.

I walked in a dusty land, a path full of danger,

But Your eyes loved me still, from high on the Throne.

God, I fell down in times before,

A stranger unable to stand and stay clean.

God, I fell at Your Throne to adore,

When You set me with Yourself in this field to glean.

Love, I watch as you promise Your hand,

As the one who is the nearest,

Only in lying down, I am helped to stand,

O, amid all the world, You are the dearest.

“The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.” Psalm 34:22

~ Kara Heather Warren