RUTH DAY TWENTY EIGHT

• 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: I recently read a commentators words on this passage of Ruth and I think it is a good summation for the book of Ruth as a whole. It says this: 

   "“Throughout the book the narrator has deliberately cast the characters as stellar models of hesed, of deep and sincere devotion to God and to one another, expressed in self-sacrificial acts of kindness toward one another. Into the plot he has also carefully woven markings of the providential hand of God, rewarding who rewards authentic piety with his fullness and care. The birth of Obed symbolizes the convergence of these two themes: piety and providence. But the narrator is aware that in the providence of God the implications of a person’s covenantal fidelity often extend far beyond the immediate story. In fact, the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz does not end with the birth of Obed. It simply signals a significant turn in the history of this family and the history of Israel, down a course that leads directly to King David.” (Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. The New American Commentary series. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.)

  What a beautiful end to this amazing book. Ruth with Obed in her arms. Thankful for the present but looking ahead to the future hope of Israel and God’s people. 

  Today I think about what God has done in my life. I am so grateful and thankful. I also look ahead to all that He is going to do and am expectant and eager. 

• ASK

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

  GROW people prayer: 

  Holy Spirit thankful for all that you have done for me. Thanks for shaping my character, supporting me and leading me through tough times and good times. You are always with me. I am grateful for all you have done for me and look with eager expectation to all that is ahead for me.

  GO People prayer:

  Lord use my story I pray. Thanks for working in my life in amazing ways. Please use this to usher others into the kingdom of God. The highlights and the lowlights can be used by You. May it be for your glory and for the salvation of others. Use my testimony of Your work in my life for good.

• 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.