Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom (Part 2)نموونە

An Unlikely Candidate

Boaz said, “And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman” (Ruth 3:11). 

Ruth was not only a widow, but also a foreigner from Moab. After her husband had died, she came to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also a widow. Naomi had tried to release Ruth to return to her own people after her son died, but Ruth insisted on staying with her. She told Naomi, “For your people shall be my people and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). That statement speaks volumes about Ruth’s character. 

As you might imagine, life was not easy for a couple of widows who had no men to support them. So if anyone had something to fear, Ruth certainly would be a candidate. Boaz was a prominent “man of great wealth” (Ruth 2:1). He had compassion on Ruth as she worked hard gleaning the field for grain for Naomi and herself. When Ruth informed Naomi that a man named Boaz had shown her favor, Naomi told her that Boaz was a close relative (aka kinsman redeemer). Naomi then instructed Ruth how to be further noticed by Boaz and she followed her instructions. 

Can God use a poor widow, one from a foreign country no less? Boaz soon took Ruth to be his wife and she conceived a son named Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse who was the father of David who would one day become king of Israel. And, as you probably know, Jesus came from this lineage. 

Are you a widow, or an orphan, or maybe you just feel like one? Widows and orphans have a special place in God’s heart. James 1:27 (NIV) says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” I want to assure you that God has not lost sight of you. Your job is to keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

Fear not (insert your name here)! “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). 

Prayer: Thank You Lord that You have never left me nor forsaken me. Forgive me for sometimes feeling I am in the battle all alone. I am Yours and You are mine. Help me to keep myself from being polluted by the world. Use me for the furtherance of Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.