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SELF-HELP WITH GOD’S HELP IS THE BEST HELP (1)
THURSDAY, JULY 11
Ruth 2:1-4

Romans 8:28

 

“…we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus…”

 

SELF-HELP WITH GOD’S HELP IS THE BEST HELP (1)
 
“God is good” is a common phrase that accompanies Christian testimony and thanksgiving. This phrase highlights one of the attributes of God. God’s attributes point to His characteristics, and they mainly point to His essence or to His person/personality. Therefore, this phrase means that God is always good. When life’s circumstances knock us down, God’s goodness is not quickly and easily seen. But God does not change. He continues to be good and His goodness can be seen and found in the dealings of providence.
 
“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s…” (Ruth 2:1). The chapter opens with the mention of Boaz as a kinsman of Elimelech. This draws attention to God’s provisions of various forms of assistance to those who need it. A kinsman was one who took up the cause of his kindred to (i) recompense the trespass (Num 5:8), (ii) preserve the family’s inheritance (Lev 25:23-28; Num 27:11), (iii) pay the debt and redeem from servitude (Lev 25:47-50), and (iv) preserve family name and raise seed (Deut 25:5-7). As Naomi returned to Bethlehem, the circumstances of her life showed her that the hand of providence had dealt her a portion of bitterness. Her afflictions brought her back home empty, yet, the same hand of providence had made provisions for her sustenance and blessing upon her return to the Land of Promise. We are introduced to Boaz who will feature greatly in God’s work here.
 
God uses men to perform His work and will. The Book of Judges gives a record of men whom God used at different times. Most of them were used to fight Israel’s enemies and each was a “mighty man of valour” (eg. Judges 11:1). Boaz, on the other hand, was presented as “a mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1) who was also used in God’s plan of redemption. His use was not military, but providential. He did not approach Naomi at her coming, neither did she approach him directly after her arrival, yet God moved in providential ways, His wonders to perform.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Matthew 10:29-31.)
PRAYER: Grant me courage, Father, from the assurance of Thy care and providence over me.

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