RPG Adults
PROVIDENCE, OBEDIENCE AND PROTECTION (4)
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Ruth 2:8-12
1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
“…they regard not
the works of the LORD,
nor the operations of His hand…”
PROVIDENCE, OBEDIENCE AND PROTECTION (4)
Ingratitude is the face of man’s depravity as presented in Romans 1:21: “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.” And from it springs all expressions of rebellion, wilfulness and the repercussions. Romans 1:18-32 lists the downfall and downgrade of society. It is important for God’s children to be thankful and grateful. Gratitude is the acknowledging, and laying to heart, of the good and grace that have been extended to us. Malachi 2:2 teaches us that when blessings become abused by one who is ungrateful, God turns the blessing to a curse. Gratitude magnifies God and acknowledges Him as the source and fountain of all blessings and goodness, while ingratitude magnifies man making the rich high-minded and the poor entitled, both thinking that they deserve the wealth and help they get from God.
“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground…” (Ruth 2:10). Ruth was filled with gratitude and responded with humility. Her question did not arise out of suspicion, but was rather an expression of how she perceived herself in light of the words and notice Boaz had of her. She had received assurance of protection that she did not expect, and an invitation to provisions that were not commonplace. It is not every day that one hears the words she heard, or receives the offers as those extended to her. She wondered at the honour and attention Boaz gave her, right on her first day out in the fields gleaning. As she set out seeking the field of the one “in whose sight I shall find grace,” surely she had not expected the extent of grace shown her. And as there was no sense of entitlement, there was the humble and hearty response of gratitude.
How much more should we be grateful? We who “were dead in sins” (Eph 2:5), but are given life. We who “like sheep have gone astray” (Isa 53:6), but are now found. We who were poor, naked and hungry, yet received the invitation to come “buy, and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa 55:1).
THOUGHT: Ingratitude flows from a wrong self-estimation (Rev 3:17).
PRAYER: Draw me to Thee with thanksgiving and praise, O Father.