The Book of Ruth

Hello,

I have been reading the Bible Daily since January 1, 2006. That first year I read it cover to cover. Since then I have selected different books to read. Generally I tend to alternate between the Old and New Testaments. One that I come back to repeatedly is the Book of Ruth. It is only four chapters, but it is also the one that speaks to me most.

Ruth is the daughter-in-law of Naomi. When the widow Naomi loses both of her sons she tells both of her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. Ruth stays with her. They go back to Bethlehem and Ruth goes to work in the Harvest Fields to provide for them. The fields belong to Boaz. Boaz hears of her loyalty to Naomi and is kind to her. Boaz is a relative of Naomi’s and obliged to marry Ruth. So Naomi sends her to sleep at his feet. Boaz blesses her and marries her.

Ruth’s life is not her own. It is spent serving others.

I identify with Ruth so much. My life has taken me all over. God has had plans for me. My life belongs to Him.  I have lived all over the East Coast.  I have not always known what my role was or who I was sent to help until much later. Sometimes it was a friend or family that needed me. Sometimes it was someone that I didn’t even know until I moved.

It’s an Awesome feeling to know that God uses me to do His work. Now I am back where I wanted to be for so long. I am flourishing in my Bible Studies and Fellowship. I can only imagine what God is preparing me for and how He will Bless me.

*****

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

-Ruth 1:16