‘Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord , who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” ‘ Ruth 4:14-15 (ESV)
‘I have called upon You, for You, O God, will answer me; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your [marvelous and amazing] lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them. Keep me [in Your affectionate care, protect me] as the apple of Your eye; Hide me in the [protective] shadow of Your wings ‘
Psalms 17:6-8 (AMP)
To be made full begins with a return. This may lead us to believe that we must work hard and return to God. But actually because of his lovingkindness he brings us back to himself.
To return in Hebrew “shûwb” means to turn, go or bring back, to restore, refresh, to repair, or a reversal. We see that Naomi’s faith is restored because the Lord was bringing her back to himself. And he used the faithfulness of Ruth and Boaz to God so that her heart would be tender to His call. She eventually recognizes that the Lord had brought her back-to restore, refresh, and repair her emptiness and fill it with Himself. To maintain his promise to Abrahm, so Naomi becomes a vessel through which He can bless the families of the Earth. Not only that but through her family the Messiah would create a way for all to return to God. We see that the true Redeemer of the world would come from this family. ‘Now these are the descendants of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David [the king of Israel and the ancestor of Jesus Christ].’ Ruth 4:18,20-22 (AMP).
Oh Lord, how gracious are your ways. As I heard Elijah De Jong say I also say today, “ I see this grace in you, what have I done to deserve it? Please, don’t stop.”
I pray over you today, may the eyes of your heart be open to the providence of God in your life. May you remember the hymn that says:
“Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
2 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
3 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
4 His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
God moves in a mysterious way
William Cowper (pronounced ‘Cooper’) (1731-1800)
