HAPPY EVER AFTER
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Father, for my natural family and my spiritual family.
Read Ruth 4:13–22
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17 And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of [a]Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron, 19 and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, 20 and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat [b]Salmon, 21 and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, 22 and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you ever tried to trace back your family tree? Is a sense of family important to you?I put my paperback down with a contented sigh. There was a sequel to come. I would find out more about these First World War heroines who braved the front line in their ambulances. I needed to know!
I find it so exciting that, although we don’t see more of Ruth’s actual life after she had her son, there are clues! Although it is the men’s names in the genealogy (18), we are very aware of the part the women played. Naomi is told that her daughter-in-law is worth more than seven sons (15), a fitting tribute for Ruth. And Naomi gets to cherish the new baby that not only brings so much hope to her, but is also an important member of the family tree that leads us forward to Jesus (17; Matthew 1:5,6,16).
Sometimes, as we go about the normal things of life, we don’t know what might be important in our futures and those of others. We don’t need to be terribly weighed down by this thought. Just trust God, be ready for the call, and follow Him.
Apply
On a piece of paper (perhaps in your journal) draw a large heart. Write as many names as you can from your family or church family. Use this regularly as a reminder to pray for these people.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for family. Help me to be a faithful support to those You’ve placed in my life.
Book and Author Intros
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