Ruth - Much to Glean

After reading the book of Ruth which is a relatively short story, I wondered what "gleanings" could I get that would help us become better shepherds.  As we do our studies in The Story, I am looking for character qualities, attitudes and principles for living that can help us all to become more like Jesus.  As we seek to become like Him, I believe others notice and see the fruit of the spirit being lived out in our lives.

If you read the story of Ruth quickly and don't stop to think about it you may not "glean" too much.  In fact if you read any part of the Word quickly and don't take time to meditate on it, you don't get much out of the Word and have probably wasted your time. Here are a few Ruth-like characteristics that are very Christ-like.

Commitment: Ruth was committed to staying with and helping her mother-in-law, Naomi and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob even though she was a foreigner originally from another land (Moab), where she grew up worshiping other gods. She didn't have to stay with Naomi.  She could have returned to live in the land of Moab and probably remarried there but she loved Naomi and loved her new life under her new true God.

Faith of a Child: Following Naomi, not knowing where they would live, how they would feed themselves and survive and not knowing what would happen to them, living with tremendous uncertainty ... took faith. Following Jesus into the unknown and doing things that are new also requires this same kind of faith.  We need to trust Him that He will care for us and direct our steps.

Teachable and obedient:  Ruth didn't know the customs and culture of the land she was going to ... but Naomi did and she was able to instruct Ruth....which field to glean in, what to do, how to act, how to dress, etc. Ruth listened to he mother-in-law and did what she said and the Lord worked things out so that Boaz falls in love with her and becomes Ruth and Naomi's kinsmen redeemer, Ruth's husband, and eventually great-great grandparents to David from whose lineage, 28 generations later, Jesus is born.  God sees the BIG picture and knows how we all fit into it.  You never know how God is going to use your life but God does and He has a great plan indeed as we trust and obey and remain teachable and willing to trust Him..

A good reputation:  Ruth's reputation proceeded her.  Word gets around!  Boaz was able to find out who Ruth was and learn about how she was caring for Naomi and that she was a "woman of excellence". Wow! I am sure we would all love to be known as a man or woman of excellence when someone inquires about us.

Others are watching and taking notice of what kind of person we are. They see our smile, our good deeds, our tears of compassion, our love for one another and hear our words of encouragement. They see our gifts and our potential. Opinions are formed and we develop a reputation.  Unfortunately, people also see some stuff that is rooted in our old carnal nature (un-Christ-like qualities) which Paul encourages us to put aside or put off (see Colossians 3:8,9).  We need to clothe ourselves in Christ-like qualities. (see Colossians 3:12-17) and remain in Him and learn to walk in the Spirit.

Thank goodness we can all get back on track when we mess up and confess our sins because we too have a kinsmen-redeemer who loves us and cares for us and paid the ultimate price for all our sins so that we can become part of his church and his bride.

Take time to read Ruth again slowly and pick out some other qualities that you see in Boaz's, Ruth's and Naomi's life that are worth imitating.

Caution! There is something in Naomi's life that was exhibited for a while that we don't want to copy.  She wanted to be called Mara because she was bitter over her circumstances ... but she didn't remain there!.  Don't be known for being a bitter person as it leads to a host of problems and it is easily noticeable..  
   

Abraham - What a man of Faith!

I just finished reading chapter 2 of The Story - all about Abraham. What a guy!  There are a number of things from his life that we should continuously work on and build into our own lives - Obeying, Trusting, Waiting, and and Expecting (God to keep his promises) - which all take humongous faith so it seems.  Wait - that's not true!  We are told by Jesus that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed.  Let's see what that kind of faith includes and look at four aspects of simple faith from Abraham's life.

Obeying - We are told that at the age of 75, Abraham was called by God to go to a place where he didn't even know where that was going to be and that he obeyed the call and went.  I am not 75 yet but I am trusting that I will be willing to go or do whatever God is calling me to do (without question).  Are you willing to obey when God gives you instructions?  He still speaks to us by His Word and by His Spirit and some will even have visions and dreams. Model this kind of faith that obeys to those in your small group and to others that you have influence over. Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.  God will do the same for us.

Trusting - God promised Abraham that he was going to be the Father of many nations.  That is almost laughable considering His age.  He was very old.  Sarah was very old.  It would take a miracle to have just one child let alone become the Father of nations. But it says "against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the Father of many nations ... without weakening in his faith".  Will you trust and keep on believing despite the odds against you? With God all things are possible ... only believe.  We can model this kind of faith in front of those who are watching us.

Waiting - 25 years go by before the promise of the "child of promise" is fulfilled. Abraham was 100 years old now and he has one son.  That's a long time to wait!  Are you willing to wait that long (if necessary) to see God's answer to a prayer or to see God's promises fulfilled in your life.  Guess what, we have no choice unless we decide to run ahead of God and do it our way. We must wait, we must persevere, we must continue to cry out to God, we must believe, we must keep on walking with Him and trusting Him to direct our paths.  He promises to provide and promises to bless our lives as we become a blessing to others. Encourage others with these principles of faith.

Expecting - When Abraham was tested ... and we will be too be tested when we step out in faith and trust and obey...God instructs Abraham to sacrifice (kill) his son, Isaac. Can you believe it! ... without argument, Abraham simply obeys, trusts and expects God to show up and provide.  God did provide a lamb so that he didn't have to sacrifice his only son.  God was very pleased with Abraham's response and says to him, "I will surely bless you" and He did.  Abraham never saw the result of all the nations and peoples that came from his seed but we see the results of his faith to God's promise as hundreds of millions have become a part of God's kingdom today.

If you have time, Read Hebrews 11 again and see how much space is given to Abraham and his life of faith. We can be like Abraham in our faith as we seek to obey, trust, wait, and expect God to come through at just the right time! Let your light shine before others in these practical ways of demonstrating your faith!