Tag: Ruth

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Immanuel

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

…See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel,

which is translated “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:21, 23)

“God with us.”

I was thinking this morning how amazing those words are.

Though Abraham failed many times, God never abandoned him. He was God with Abraham.

Though Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth were all outsiders to Israel, two of them with checkered histories, God brought them all in and accepted them. He was God with Tamar, God with Rahab, God with Ruth.

Though David murdered a man and stole his wife, God didn’t cast him aside. Rather, he confronted David, and when he repented, God forgave him. He was God with David.

Though the Israelites turned their backs on God and were exiled to Babylon, even then, God didn’t abandon them. He brought them back. He was God with Israel.

And ultimately, in his faithfulness, he sent Jesus to save his people from their sin.

Amazingly, that includes us.

He is God with us.

He calls us his own.

Despite our sins.

Despite our past.

Despite our failures.

He doesn’t distance himself from us.

He is God with us.

How awesome is that!

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Ruth Devotionals

Redeemed

May the Lord make the woman who is entering your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel…

May your house become like the house of Perez, the son Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

This morning, I was thinking about Rachel, Leah, and Tamar. All three were broken in their own ways. (Genesis 29-30, 38)

And yet, none of them were ultimately remembered that way. They were remembered as blessed women.

Ruth too suffered brokenness in her life, and she is now remembered as blessed.

Not only that, all four women were used to bring our Redeemer into the world. All of them are in Jesus’ family tree.

And so God reminded me this morning, “You are not defined by your brokenness. I have redeemed you. And you are blessed.”

I was nothing before you found me.
You have given life to me.

Heartache, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary.

Your touch was what I longed for.
You have given life to me. — Bill and Gloria Gaither

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Ruth Devotionals

Finding rest

My daughter, shouldn’t I find rest for you… (Ruth 3:1)

I was just thinking on the idea of “rest” in this chapter.

Ruth found rest by trusting Naomi, and even more so by trusting Boaz.

Had Boaz not been the honorable man he was, Ruth could have found herself in real danger. But she trusted that her redeemer was good, and she found rest as a result.

That was in stark contrast to the Israelite people of that time. By not trusting their Redeemer, they repeatedly lost their “rest” (Judges 1:18-19, 2:11-12, 3:30-4:2, 5:31-6:2).

I’m thinking about people right now who have lost their rest because they lost their trust that their Redeemer is good.

I don’t want to be like that.

I choose to be like Ruth, trusting my Redeemer is good and his promise true.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

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Ruth Devotionals

No coincidence

She happened to be in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family. (Ruth 2:3)

I wonder if the author of the book of Ruth wrote those words with a wink of the eye.

“She happened to be…?”

There’s no doubt that was God’s leading, and I’m sure the author knew it.

Naomi had thought that God had abandoned her, but God still had a plan for her. And that coincidence had ramifications not only for her, but for us as well. (If you don’t mind spoilers, take a look at Matthew 1:5-6, 16).

When Naomi realized that, hope revived in her heart.

With God, there are no coincidences. He is deliberately working out his purposes. And those purposes are for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

I have encountered many “coincidences” in my life.

But looking back, those weren’t coincidences at all. And as God’s plans for me have become clearer to me, I’ve come to realize more and more just how good he really is. That’s why I have hope.

Truly, God is one who never abandons his kindness towards us.

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Ruth Devotionals

A prayer in time of famine

Lord, as in the time of the judges, we live in a land of famine. People are starving spiritually.

There are so many like Naomi who feel bitter. Who feel that your hand has turned against them. That you have opposed and afflicted them.

My Shepherd, visit your people. Give to them your Bread of Life. Show your kindness to them. In your grace, save them. Grant them rest, Lord, not in the things of this world, but in you.

And as you used Ruth to show grace and mercy to Naomi, use me to touch those hurting around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.