Ruth asked Boaz, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:10-12)
Boaz knows and believes in God’s kindness. He believes in the good God who rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. He praises God when he sees this kindness in Ruth, and he prays God’s kindness will flow to Ruth. Most importantly he’s not just words, he’s action. He allows himself to be a channel of God’s kindness to Ruth and Naomi. Paul says in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We have an even better reason than Ruth and Boaz to see and be the kindness of God in our world. As Paul says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
Head: Do I see the cross as evidence of the love and kindness of God to us?
Heart: Does my heart believe in God’s goodness and kindness to all who call out to him through Jesus?
Hands: As I have the opportunity, today I’ll do good things for all kinds of people, especially for those who love Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for sending Jesus and for his cross, which shows your love and kindness to us. Please enable my heart to believe in your goodness and kindness that flows to all who call out to you through Jesus. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities I have today to do good things for all kinds of people, and especially for those who love Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
A song to listen to: Praise Him
Phil Strong
