“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. (NIV)
Thought for Today
Through an ancient ritual Ruth asks Boaz to marry her. Our verse is his reply. He is humbled that she would consider him worthy to be her husband because he is older than she. What a curious turn in the story. Ruth is the foreign woman with no family or property to commend her. Ruth is the one who should be surprised that any Israelite should find her worthy. Instead, we see that humility becomes a strong man. Even though Boaz is one of the wealthiest, most influential men in Bethlehem, he does not consider others as beneath him. He looks on everyone from a position of humility. He knows that the main reason he has done so well is that God has blessed him. Throughout the Book of Ruth he is generous, kind but firm and humble before everyone. What strikes me most is it all comes across as very genuine. Today, false humility, intended to subtly boast, is rampant. When we remember that it is the Lord who gives and blesses, not according to our skill or what we have earned, but according to His our private counsel, we find room to be genuinely grateful to God for what we have and humble before others. Consider the undeserved blessings you have received and thank God for them. Reminding yourself that He can take them away just as easily as He gave them and makes room for humility towards others.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, You have blessed me richly. While I don’t have everything I want I have more than I need and certainly more than I deserve from You. Thank You especially for these blessings: ________. Help me to treat others well today, knowing that it is Your care that has led to my success. Amen.
Devotional Quote
God doesn't bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing. ― Warren W. Wiersbe
Quote of the Day
Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.’ — Erich From
Ruth: A Story of Real Joy 4
Ruth 3:10-11
“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. (NIV)
Thought for Today
Through an ancient ritual Ruth asks Boaz to marry her. Our verse is his reply. He is humbled that she would consider him worthy to be her husband because he is older than she. What a curious turn in the story. Ruth is the foreign woman with no family or property to commend her. Ruth is the one who should be surprised that any Israelite should find her worthy. Instead, we see that humility becomes a strong man. Even though Boaz is one of the wealthiest, most influential men in Bethlehem, he does not consider others as beneath him. He looks on everyone from a position of humility. He knows that the main reason he has done so well is that God has blessed him. Throughout the Book of Ruth he is generous, kind but firm and humble before everyone. What strikes me most is it all comes across as very genuine. Today, false humility, intended to subtly boast, is rampant. When we remember that it is the Lord who gives and blesses, not according to our skill or what we have earned, but according to His our private counsel, we find room to be genuinely grateful to God for what we have and humble before others. Consider the undeserved blessings you have received and thank God for them. Reminding yourself that He can take them away just as easily as He gave them and makes room for humility towards others.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, You have blessed me richly. While I don’t have everything I want I have more than I need and certainly more than I deserve from You. Thank You especially for these blessings: ________. Help me to treat others well today, knowing that it is Your care that has led to my success. Amen.
Devotional Quote
God doesn't bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing. ― Warren W. Wiersbe
Quote of the Day
Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.’ — Erich From