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Reaping Kindness and Protection

True to her word, Ruth stayed with Naomi in Bethlehem. Industrious and proactive, Ruth then decided to gather leftover grain for their support. 

Ruth ended up in the field of Boaz, whose name means “Quickness”. Interestingly enough, Boaz was a wealthy relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. After discovering Ruth’s presence in his field, Boaz commended her character in stating, "...heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband…God reward you well for what you’ve done – and with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you’ve come seeking protection under his wings” (Ruth 2:11-12, MSG).

That evening, bearing lunch leftovers and an amazing haul of nearly twenty-five pounds of grain, Ruth returned home to Naomi. When Ruth identified Boaz as the one who had treated her so kindly, Naomi marveled, “Why, God bless that man! God hasn’t quite walked out on us after all! He still loves us, in bad times as well as good!... That man, Ruth, is one of our circle of covenant redeemers, a close relative of ours!” (Ruth 2:20, MSG).

All this happened on Ruth’s first day of work in Boaz’s field.

Reflections:

1. Identify the ways God graced Ruth during her first day of work in Boaz’s fields. 

2. In the midst of your present circumstances, how has God graced you?

3. Naomi realized God “still loves us in bad times as well as good!”  How willing are you to embrace this realization? 

Biblical declarations of God’s unfailing commitment to you:

Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV: “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.”

Isaiah 46:3-4, NLT: “...I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

Psalms 139:4-5, TPT: “…You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness, you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me.”

Jeremiah 31:3, NIV: “…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”