Heidelberg Catechism Week 17

45. Q. How does Christ's resurrection benefit us? A. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, so that He might make us share in the righteousness He won for us by His death. Second, by His power we too are already now resurrected to a new life. Third, Christ's resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

The answer to Question 45 gives us three reasons why the resurrection of the Son of God is good news. Here are DeYoung's comments on these three reasons:

1.  Without the resurrection nothing would have been conquered - not sin, not death, not the devil. Jesus' resurrection from the dead testifies not only that Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4) but that the offering of life was an acceptable sacrifice to God and that the work of salvation had been accomplished. The resurrection means Christ proved Himself righteous to the Father, so that through faith we now can share in His righteousness.
2. Our hope of new life is not just a future goal; it is a present reality. Dozens of times in the New Testament we see the phrase "in Christ." This little phrase speaks to the glorious union believers have with Christ through faith. We died in His death and we rose again in His resurrection to new life (Romans 6:5-11; Ephesians 2:5).
3. Christ's resurrection was the firstfruits of a resurrection harvest yet to come. "We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21).

Heidelberg Catechism Week 16

40. Q. Why did Christ have to go all the way to death? A. Because God's justice and truth demand it: only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.

41. Q. Why was He "buried"? A. His burial testifies that He really died.

42. Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die? A. Our death does not pay the debt for our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.

43. Q. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross? A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to Him.

44. Q. Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"? A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

Two songs immediately came to mind when reading through this section. The first is a little song we've been teaching the children in Sunday School these past few weeks:

He paid a debt He did not owe;
I owed a debt I could not pay;
I needed someone to wash my sins away.
And, now, I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

He paid that debt at Calvary.
He cleansed my soul and set me free.
I'm glad that Jesus did all my sins erase.
I, now, can sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

And then in reference to the believer's physical death I am reminded of the precious hymn "It is Not Death to Die":

It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high,
Who’ve found their home with God.
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears,
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears.

Chorus:
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save.
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die.

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust,
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just.
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore.

All the glory

This evening I found the following beautiful text by Anne R. Cousin. 
(Somebody needs to compose a nice new setting for it.)

You can see the source here: 

Lord, mine must be a spotless dress,
But 'tis not mine to weave it;
For Thou hast wrought my righteousness—
I have but to receive it.
Fair robe divine!—the grace is mine,
And all the glory, Lord, is Thine.

It is not mine to toil for peace—
Thy Cross, O Christ, doth make it!
I only need from toil to cease,
And gladly, simply take it.
Sweet peace divine!—the grace is mine,
And all the glory, Lord, is Thine!

It is not mine to purchase life,
Since life Thou freely givest;
Wielding Thy power 'mid sin and strife,
I live because Thou livest.
Glad life divine!—the grace is mine,
And all the glory, Lord, is Thine.

Psalm 57

Verses 1-2... 
    Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
        for in You my soul takes refuge;
    in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge,
        till the storms of destruction pass by.
    I cry out to God Most High,
        to God who fulfills His purpose for me.

What needed comfort and reassurance these verses speak to my heart this evening! And then I found a sermon that Spurgeon preached on this passage, and one portion of the sermon leaped out at me so vividly:

At this moment, thou hast many perplexities; thou mayest chafe thyself with anxiety, and make thyself foolish with shilly-shallying if thou dost sport with fancy, conjuring up bright dreams, and yielding to dark forebodings. There is many a knot we seek to untie, which were better cut with the sword of faith. We should end our difficulties by leaving them with Him who knows the end from the beginning. Up to this moment you have been rightly led: you have the same Guide. To this hour, He who sent the cloudy pillar has led you rightly through the devious track-ways of the wilderness; follow still, with a sure confidence that all is well. If ye keep close to Him, He performeth all things for you. Take your guidance from His Word, and, waiting upon Him in prayer, you need not fear.

It's as if Spurgeon took a peek at the recent letters on this blog and sent me that encouraging comment!

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

(William Cowper)

Still that unsettled feeling...

My dear one, 

I sit here this evening not knowing exactly how to share what's on my heart... but hasn't that been the case a lot in recent letters? I've already hit the backspace key more than typical for a letter. Words are just not flowing right now, yet they're somewhere nearby, stopped up, perhaps just too timid to tiptoe forth onto the page.

Wednesday through Saturday has been one of the fullest, action-packed, draining weeks since moving back to this area. I was involved in several events on top of my normal responsibilities, all the while trying not to succumb to flu-like symptoms. (By God's grace and with the help of some natural remedies, I'm still hanging on!) After several days of adjudicating, chauffeuring, performing, dining out, and masquerading as the "professional" I'm labeled to be, I'm ready to crash.

Today was a wonderful day in God's house. I've officially joined the choir, after holding out for over nine months of pleas from my church's music director: "We really could use a strong alto..." I got to feeling rather guilty seeing the struggling alto section singing up there in the choir loft while I sat comfortably in my pew. I began to realize that this is an area where I'm being selfish with my time. Yes, Sunday afternoon rehearsals mean less time for napping, but I resolve to keep showing up with a smile, even if it is with a coffee mug in hand. 

And in the midst of all this, my head continues to do battle with my heart regarding a certain acquaintance. How do I subtly show interest without then feeling foolish when it becomes obvious that I was inventing the whole thing in my mind? Am I doubting myself too much? Doubting God too much? Doubting your arrival too much? Is the hope that someone could ever be interested in me a hope I need to bury?

Obviously I have many questions for the Lord as I come to His throne of grace in prayer these days!

And, my dear one, I have many questions for you.

Is there something about my life that might make me unworthy of your attentions? Are you willing to be the leader? Can you tolerate someone with more education than you? What if I am older than you? Is it a dangerous thing if our personalities are too much alike?

But alas, when I find you these questions will probably be a moot issue...

I am praying for you tonight, asking the Lord to grant you much wisdom, strength, joy, and peace as you follow His will for your life.

I send you my love.

Heidelberg Catechism Week 15

37. Q. What do you understand by the word "suffered"? A. That during His whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. This He did in order that, by His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might set us free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.

38. Q. Why did He suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge? A. So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

39. Q. Is it significant that He was "crucified" instead of dying some other way? A. Yes. This death convinces me that He shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung provides Ursinus' list of seven ways Christ suffered:

1. He gave up the joys of heaven.
2. He experienced the infirmities of our nature (hunger, thirst, sadness, grief, etc.).
3. He knew deprivation and poverty (i.e., He had nowhere to lay His head).
4. He endured insults, treacheries, slanders, blasphemies, rejection, and contempt.
5.  He faced temptations from the Devil.
6. He died a shameful and painful death.
7. He experienced the bitter anguish of soul as one accursed of God and forsaken by His heavenly Father.

I appreciate DeYoung's attention to the issue of particular redemption in this chapter, especially because of the phrase "the sin of the whole human race" in the answer to question 37. As is understood in Reformed circles, "the death of Christ was sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world, but it was God's will that it should effectively redeem those and only those who were chosen from eternity to salvation and given to Christ by the Father."

If Christ's death on the cross merely makes it possible for sinners to come to God, rather than truly reconciling sinners to God, than that would be dangerously close to the liberal theology we know as universalism. DeYoung: "If Jesus died for every person on the planet, then we no longer mean that He died in place of sinners, taking upon Himself our shame, our sins, and our rebellion... This is only half a gospel. Certainly, we need to come to Christ in faith. But faith is not the last work that finally makes us saved. Faith is trusting that Jesus has in fact died in our place and bore the curse for us - effectually, particularly, and perfectly."

Psalm 58

Verse 11...
Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; 

     surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

At first glance this psalm perhaps may not seem to be the most comforting one - with its theme of God's judgment of the ungodly. But for the child of God troubled by the apparent prosperity of the wicked ones around him, this psalm calls to mind God's holy justice and sovereignty: ungodliness will be judged, and those in Christ will receive their imperishable inheritance (I Peter 1:4). This psalm reminds me personally that though I may never see earthly reward for the commitment I have made to Christ, God sees and remembers me (Genesis 16:3) and He is able to do far more abundantly than all I ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Mystery

My dear one, 

It is a rainy Monday afternoon, and I've had a luxuriously lazy start to the week after a whirlwind weekend. I have a little mystery that likely will never be solved, but has simultaneously lifted my spirits and left me befuddled.

On Thursday afternoon I drove to work rather than walking. Upon leaving that evening, I discovered a note stuck under my windshield wiper:

Friend,

Be strong in the Lord and don't you give up hope! You are His creation, and He has a specific plan for you. And you can bet that he will be faithful to carry His will out. Even in the times you don't believe, lack faith and have doubt, He is still carrying you and holding you close. Take heart my friend. Stay strong!

~Little ol' Me =)

As I sat there in my car brushing the tears from my cheek, I was sure that it had been left by my sweet friend who is one of the few who understand what I'm going through, as she was in my shoes for several years. But when I asked her about it yesterday, alas, she knew nothing. So I'm left wondering whether it was a generic note that someone was sticking on random cars (I saw none in the vicinity), or whether it was someone who knew my car and truly meant the sentiment for me personally. Whichever the case may be, the Lord knew I needed that encouragement.

Meanwhile, that little mystery prompted me to write an anonymous note of my own, including with it a Starbucks gift card. I smile to think of its recipient's certain befuddlement. If I could, I would send you such a note. Wouldn't it be exciting to have a secret admirer? My dear one, keep smiling - you never know who's falling in love with your smile. And perhaps I'll commit another random act of kindness today - and pray that it is somehow perpetuated until it finds its way to you.

Yours even now,
Me

Heidelberg Catechism Week 14

35. Q. What does it mean that He "was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary"? A.That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to Himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that He might become David's true descendant, like His brothers in every way except for sin.

36. Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you? A. He is our mediator, and with His innocence and perfect holiness He removes from God's sight my sin - mine since I was conceived.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

A nugget from DeYoung's commentary on these questions:

If Jesus had not been born of a human, we could not believe in His full humanity. But if He birth were like any other human birth - through the union of a human father and mother - we would question His full divinity. The virgin birth is necessary to secure both a real human nature and a completely divine nature... The virgin birth is essential because it means Jesus did not inherit the curse of depravity that clings to Adam's race. Jesus was made like us in every way except for sin (Heb. 4:15; 7:26-27).

Contrary to what Roman Catholicism teaches, Mary was a sinner just like every other person in the world. She needed a Saviour just as much as I do, and she rejoiced in "God [her] Saviour" (Luke 1:47). 

Random ramblings

My dear one, 

When I was young, I thought I was shy, but yet I had plenty to say. I didn't know there was a thing called introversion. The book Quiet, by Susan Cain, helped me make sense of it all. Because I understand myself more, I've become more comfortable with my inclinations, preferences, intuitions, etc. I'm not ashamed to stand at the edge of the crowd, and yet paradoxically I have more courage to venture out on my own - as I did to hear some live music at a new coffee shop this evening. There's a certain freedom in knowing that I can, and am allowed to, do things alone and enjoy them. :)

Today was a joyful one. I finally have a bed for my guest room! The mattresses were delivered this afternoon. Evidences of my increasingly minimalistic bent are displaying themselves around my apartment. My parents may be surprised when they visit in a few weeks.

The one lesson I taught went incredibly well. How is it that students can bring such happiness to my heart? And then I spent some time collaborating on a project with one especially gifted pianist, fulfilling a hankering I've had all year. Ah yes, my heart is still hoping for more...

And tonight I explored a different part of town, visiting a coffee shop that I've been hearing about lately. I was pushed over the edge, so to speak, by the fact that a cellist friend and her artist brother would be playing and drawing there this evening. A delightful time relaxing in the comfy leather chair, sipping my sinful caffeinated beverage, and catching up with another friend who happened to show up for the same event.

Tomorrow looks to be enjoyable as well - brunch with some of my students, followed by a couple of recitals. Wishing you a lovely weekend, my dear one.

Praying for you, 
Me

Psalm 59

Verses 16-17...
    But I will sing of Your strength;
        I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning.
    For You have been to me a fortress
        and a refuge in the day of my distress.
    O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
        for You, O God, are my fortress,
        the God who shows me steadfast love.

O Lord,
These words echo strongly in my heart. You are my strength, for I am weak. I sing to You today, because You have given me a song to sing - that of Your all-sufficiency:

I run to Christ when chased by fear
And find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear;
His words and wounds secure.
I run to Christ when worn by life
And find my soul refreshed.
“Come unto Me,” He calls through strife;
Fatigue gives way to rest.
(Chris Anderson)

Thank You, Father, for teaching me to depend upon You alone. Thank You for bringing rest to my heart, despite my deep longings.

Perspective

L.E. Maxwell:

"Accept the fact that this is your lot for life - and neither accidental nor incidental. Cease hoping for things to be otherwise, and cease itching to be otherwhere; for you are not moving on, not moving out. This is life; this is 'home.' You may just as well unpack. In your weariest and weakest and most bewildered moment, simply say, 'Now, Lord, here is my chance, and Thine - my chance to die, Thy chance to manifest the life of Jesus.'" (Crowded to Christ)

Early morning musings

Good morning, my dear one. 

I've been unable to sleep past 3 AM for the second night in a row. Insomnia has never been a problem for me in the past - I hope this is not the beginning of a new trend. I'm restless enough as it is; I don't need to be tossing and turning at night!

When my mind is churning the same thoughts over and over in the silence of nighttime, I find the silence quite deafening. And so I turn on the Rachmaninoff that calls me back again and again, and whisper prayers of thankfulness for a new day yet to begin. Prayers of intercession for various friends sick, sorrowing, and nearing heaven's gate. Prayers of confession over my own faithlessness in the midst of rather calm waters and pleas that I would remain faithful in the storms sure to come. Prayers of praise as I consider the glory of Christ and His all-sufficient grace that is mine by inheritance.

This morning I am filled with a fresh wonder over the fact that God meets my everyday needs, supplies my "daily bread" as it were, by providing this way for me to spend my working hours doing that which I truly love. It never fails, no matter how weary and cranky I feel when I trudge over to my teaching studio, I receive something of a high when teaching! I pray that you would know this same joy in your own field of work. Truly, God's plan for us even before the Fall was that we be occupied in work - tending the area of His creation in which He has placed us, refining the skills with which He has bestowed us, cultivating the good, the beautiful, the true. Whether it be through the means of a plow, pen, or piano, we all have a vocation, a calling of God to work. Some days I still mourn the fact that I have not been given the opportunity to cultivate the family life I dreamed of for so many years, yet God has given me a ministry to my "family" of students. Just last night as I was baking muffins to take to work today, I thought over how such a gesture was always so meaningful to me when I was a busy, frazzled undergrad. I pray daily that I would not only be an instructor to my students, but an encouragement in their lives.

I am wrestling on a daily basis with the outworking of Philippians 2:3-4 --

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

It is when I am idle and alone that I tend to wallow in self-interest. I realize more and more that I need to keep my hands and mind actively serving, giving, helping.

May the Lord help me to do this and be this today in this role to which He has assigned me! And my dear one, may His everlasting arms hold you up in strength for your day.

Love and prayers, 
Me

Gleanings from the Book of Ruth

[I just ran across a devotional article I penned 5 years ago, and it was just what I needed to read! Yes, the past me teaches the present me!]

The Book of Ruth is an account of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and mercy. Beyond being a “heartwarming story,” this book of the Old Testament gives me some valuable truths and lessons to consider and apply to my own life...

Introduction

First, as a bit of background, I considered the times in which the central characters lived—“the days of the judges.” The very last verse in the Book of Judges, coming right before the Book of Ruth, states, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” This period in Israel’s history was characterized by anarchy and lawlessness, and God’s people were not following His commandments. We live in times very similar, do we not?

A more immediate context of this story is a famine in Bethlehem. Ironically, this city’s name means “house of bread.” Perhaps this was a part of God’s chastening hand and judgment on His disobedient people. Yet amidst the chaos of the time, God was working out His purpose for His kingdom through His people!

Naomi’s View of Things

As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem following the death of her husband and sons, she advised her daughters-in-law to remain in their homeland of Moab. It is a bit ironic that she said to them, “May the LORD deal kindly with you… May the LORD grant that you may find rest…” (1:8-9), and yet she denied God’s kindness in her own circumstances: “The hand of the LORD has gone forth against me” (1:13). “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (1:20). Naomi interpreted her situation to be indicating that God had turned against her and her family.

Like the Israelites when they left Egypt and found themselves in the wilderness, she looked nostalgically to her past: “I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.” Solomon addresses this harmful attitude in Ecclesiastes 7:10, 14 – “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this… In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other…” His words sound like the apostle Paul, who reminds us that God works all things according the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11), and all things work together for our growth in Christlikeness (Rom. 8:28-29)!

Sometimes I tend to think like Naomi, letting my circumstances wrongly affect our view of God. I may start to deny God’s faithfulness because things aren’t going “my way.” I need to walk by faith, not by sight. Let us all remember to look at our “Naomi tragedies” as opportunities to testify of God’s providence, believing that He will accomplish His good will and glorify Himself through us!
 
The Responses of Ruth and Orpah

The two daughters-in-law each responded differently to Naomi’s advice to remain in Moab. Though Orpah loved Naomi, and at first expressed some desire to go with her, there was no genuine follow-through. She couldn’t bring herself to tear herself from familiar surroundings and comfort. Likewise, when faced with the prospect of forsaking all to follow Christ, many people find it to be more of a sacrifice than they can muster. They do not love God nor value Christ enough to make such a “surrender.”

Ruth, however, had come to know Naomi’s God, the God of Israel. She pictures for me a heart changed by the grace of God, a faithful follower devoted to Him despite the future uncertainties of life. Ruth left her home, well aware that as a Moabite she would most likely not be welcome in Israel, yet for her it was worth the risk, because God had become more real to her than any of her problems!

Am I making decisions based on conventional common-sense and pragmatism (i.e., worldly wisdom), or does my God-given faith prompt my daily obedience and devotion? May I seek to be like loyal, trusting Ruth!
 
Mere Happenstance?

The Law made provision “for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow” (Deut. 24:19) by stipulating that landowners allow them to gather whatever was dropped or left behind from the regular reaping of grain in their fields. It was such a circumstance that Ruth found herself in, as she needed to find food for herself and Naomi once they arrived in Bethlehem. But Ruth was a Moabite! The Law had instructed Israel not to have dealings with unfriendly Moab. God told His people, “You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days” (Deut. 23:6). So Ruth found herself in a precarious situation. She knew she must come across the field of someone “in whose sight I may find favor.”

Ruth “happened to come” to Boaz’s land (Ruth 2:3). The wording of the text almost makes it sound like it was pure chance, but not so! God directed Ruth to the field of this godly man, who was in fact a relative of Ruth’s father-in-law (more about that later). I sometimes find myself in a bleak circumstance, not seeing any possible solutions that I could work out on my own. I must not forget that God is working behind the scenes. Nothing just “happens”—God is in control, and nothing takes Him by surprise! His wisdom and care for His children can be a comfort for me today as I reflect on how God worked in wonderful ways for Ruth and Naomi even in small everyday matters. He will do the same for all His children!
 
Favor and Refuge

When Ruth was directed by God to the fields of Boaz, she did indeed find favor with this landowner. Boaz’s kindness included not only permitting her to glean there, but also allowing her to use his servants’ water supply and offering her a meal!

Ruth was amazed at this demonstration of kindness. “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” she inquired. Boaz answered Ruth by acknowledging that he had heard about her loyalty to God and to Naomi. “May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (2:12). It was evident to the people of Israel, including Boaz, that this woman from Moab had a real relationship with the one true God!

Does my life radiate the same strong testimony that Ruth demonstrated? O that those who look upon me would be able to testify that I have taken refuge under Jehovah’s wings!
 
The Kinsman-Redeemer

Upon returning home after gleaning in Boaz’s field, Ruth reported to Naomi what had transpired. Naomi’s response again demonstrates a wrong view of God’s sovereignty. Perceiving that this relative of Elimelech could ensure them a future (as a kinsman-redeemer), Naomi came up with a not-so-prudent scheme for Ruth to communicate her dependence on this “deliverer.” Naomi’s plan put Ruth in an awkward position—indeed, it had potential for ruining Ruth’s reputation—yet God worked even in this situation and granted discernment to Ruth and Boaz.

Though Boaz was willing to fill the role of kinsman-redeemer, he knew of one who was more closely related to Elimelech’s family, one who had more right to deliver Ruth and Naomi from their circumstances. Boaz approached him about this opportunity, but this unnamed relative was not willing to absorb these costs and jeopardize his own inheritance. “Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption,” he told Boaz. Thus Boaz was able to rightfully meet the need that Ruth had presented to him.

So what exactly would a kinsman-redeemer be able to do for Ruth and Naomi? They needed a male relative who could buy back the rights to Elimelech’s land and preserve the family’s inheritance for future descendants. This kinsman-redeemer is a picture of Christ’s work for His people. I have found favor in the sight of God. He has taken me, a poor and needy stranger, under His protection. Christ has paid the price for my sin and secured my inheritance!
 
No More a Stranger

The elders of the city and others who witnessed the dealings of Boaz with Ruth and Naomi prayed for God’s blessing on them. They looked upon Ruth with acceptance—they saw her as one of their own! Here I see even in Old Testament times the inclusion of a Gentile in God’s covenant promises to His people.

God has likewise reached out to me. The apostle Paul explains this inclusion: “You [Gentiles] were . . . separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ... So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Eph. 2:12, 19). What a privilege I now enjoy! Does my life as a child of God show my gratitude for what Christ has done for me? Am I living to serve Him and tell others this good news of a Redeemer?
 
Conclusion

When a son was born to Ruth and Boaz, some women offered a very astute remark to Naomi: “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.” These observers never could have envisioned how God would indeed bless Ruth’s family. The genealogy that concludes the Book of Ruth gives a look into God’s purpose. Ruth in effect became a participant in God’s plan for redeeming His people. Her son Obed, the heir of Elimelech’s land, would be an ancestor of David, and that same royal line would one day see the coming of the Messiah, the true Redeemer of God’s people.

I can see how Naomi was mistaken when she assumed that God had turned against her and her family. Through Ruth and Boaz, Naomi was able to observe God’s loyal love towards His faithful people. May I too learn that God uses my faithfulness, even in small everyday acts of obedience, to magnify His wisdom and glory. I may never see the results of what God does through me , but my understanding (or lack of it) is not the point.

Perhaps I will never see how my trust in the sovereignty of God can edify those around me and accomplish God’s purpose in the world. But may we all remember these lessons from Naomi and Ruth and Boaz, and rejoice in our sovereign, faithful, merciful God!