LAVISH LOVE
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are the author of happy endings.
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.
Meditate
‘Teach me Your way, LORD, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name … great is Your love towards me.’ (Ps 86:11,13)
Think Further
If this final scene were in a Disney Princess movie, there would be an ensemble singing and dancing with Ruth and Boaz center stage! Everything has come together beautifully, despite the hardships and unkindness, grief and injustice along the way. Even Naomi’s neighbors are here, singing Ruth’s praises! Finally, Ruth is recognized as the princess among women that she is: better than seven sons – an extravagant compliment in a community that doesn’t seem to value women much at all! We have walked this journey with Ruth and Naomi, when no one else was with them, when Naomi even felt abandoned by the Lord himself. We know that the one who has protected and restored them is the Lord their God – the Lord our God. Ruth and Boaz trust the Lord and choose to honor God, putting their faith in Him and His Law and denying themselves in humility and love. It is now, at the conclusion of their story, that we see how God honors them: by bringing them into the story of King David and, consequently, into the story of the King of kings – Jesus! (Luke 3:23–38)
By trusting God in faith, we – like Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz – are welcomed into the family of God, honored and valued as part of God’s kingdom: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!’ (1 John 3:1) God’s purpose in filling our lives with His love is that our love for others may increase and overflow (1 Thess 3:12). God’s love is more powerful, steadfast and faithful than that found in any romantic movie. It is the sort of love that Ruth and Boaz chose. When we choose to love like this, we become a powerful blessing from God to others.
Apply
Lord, thank You for Your amazing love. May my love grow in self-denial and depth of insight, that I may discern how to honor You with my life (Phil 1:9,10).
Closing prayer
Lord, we look to You to place in our path the people who will play a dominant role in our life story.
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