RPG Adults
THE CONFIDENCE OF FAITH
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Ruth 4:1-10
Hebrews 11:1-13
“…ye are witnesses this day.”
THE CONFIDENCE OF FAITH
The boldness and confidence with which Boaz spoke is amazing, considering the uncertainty of life and the frailty of man. We make plans and dream dreams, only to either change them as we make adjustments in life due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, or drop them altogether and go back to the drawing board to make new plans due to human failure or weaknesses that render our plans and dreams impractical or impossible to achieve.
“…ye are witnesses this day” (Ruth 4:10). When we consider God’s design, Word and principles in regard to marriage and relationships, and the individual’s roles and duties in them, we realise that none of the roles and duties are exclusive or complete by themselves, and marriage cannot be established by the efforts and commitment of one spouse alone. The teachings on the roles of the members of the family in Scripture, be they of husbands, wives, parents, or children, show that they are complementary roles. None is complete without the other, and each works better and more easily and bears more fruit as the other works too. It is easier for the wife to submit when the husband is loving and vice versa. Thus, as Boaz spoke of what his role was as a kinsman-redeemer and said, “…have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place…” (Ruth 4:10), one may be tempted to ask: “How do you know for sure that you will accomplish what you are setting out to do? Is it all up to you?” However, Boaz was speaking by faith. His role was to do God’s will and fulfil his God-given responsibility, and God would fulfil His Word and accomplish His plan. Boaz believed God would accomplish His Word, and therefore his part was to focus on obeying God and doing what God had instructed in His Word. As he said to Ruth at the threshing floor, “…if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do…” (Ruth 3:13), that was submission to God’s will. In Ruth 4:10, Boaz’s focus was on what God had laid out in His Word for the kinsman to do, and that was commitment and faith. He was given the rights to redeem, so it was God’s will for him to do so.
THOUGHT: Confidence of faith is acted out in responsible obedience.
PRAYER: Father, give me grace to discern and obey Thy will.