RUTH DAY ELEVEN

• PAUSE

  [start with a moment to step out of your thoughts and life and into the presence of God]

  Lord, as I enter your presence now I take a moment to pause and to be still…. 

  ….to breath slowly and to re-centre my scattered thoughts and senses upon You.

  …. Speak to me I pray, and fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh this day. 

• REFLECT

  Take time to read through and reflect on the passage. Don’t rush it but be open to God speaking to you as you read.

  What did God say to you through this passage? Why don’t you pop it in the chat to encourage others?

  Devotional reflection: Proverbs 22:1 states, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favour is better than silver or gold." Our reputation matters and makes a way for us. Ruth’s good name or her reputation spoke of her costly love to Naomi and her bold trust in God. She left everything that was familiar and sought refuge in the Lord. 

  When we take faith steps we, like Ruth, are saying “Lord, I don’t know the details, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I choose to take a step towards you and trust that you will be my refuge”. Bold trust. I believe the Lord is pleased by our faith steps and that He sees them and will reward them. Like Ruth, we can trust that God is the One who provides for us, will bring security and a covering to us. That picture of the Lord providing refuge for us under His wings is a beautiful picture of our God, who is over all, yet tenderly cares for us.

• ASK

  Prayerfully reflect how this passages applies to your life. Ask God to speak to you now

  GROW people prayer: 

  Lord God, I choose to take a faith step today, trusting you with the unknown details of my life. I name them specifically now…Help me to understand what it is to take refuge under your wings. Amen.

  GO People prayer:

  Father, I pray for those I know who are facing uncertainty and need to take steps of faith. I name them and their details now…Give them the courage and boldness to trust you completely, knowing that you are their refuge and provider. Amen.

• YIELD

  Take a look at the passage again. Take time to see if there is a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit reveals to you as a focus for your day today. 

  What has the Lord revealed to you? What will you take into your day today? What action is He asking you to take? Take a moment to pray a yielding prayer along these lines to the Lord today.

  Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for speaking to me to day. Give me courage to obey your word and yield to your Holy Spirit. I take seriously your leading today and seek to put your word into practice in my life through action today. Amen.