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PROVIDENCE AND THE PROFIT OF DILIGENCE (5)
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Ruth 2:18-23

Matthew 6:25-34

 

“…your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need

of all these things.”

 

PROVIDENCE AND THE PROFIT OF DILIGENCE (5)
 
The question Naomi posed to Ruth made it clear that she could visibly see and deduce from the amount of barley Ruth had gleaned, that she had received favour. Although many times the hand and workings of providence may be hidden to us and others, the blessings that the hand of providence effects in our lives are evident to all. God, who sees in secret, answers in public. God’s care over our lives may be hidden at times, but the fruit of His care is unmistakable. We may not know how, but we can be sure that if we trust in Him and put Him first in our lives, and if we commit ourselves and our ways to Him and do what we know He requires of us, He will take care of us.
 
“…Where hast thou gleaned today? And where wroughtest thou?...” (Ruth 2:19). This verse acknowledges God’s guiding providence as well as Ruth’s work and diligence. The first question asked of Ruth was: “Where hast thou gleaned today?” Ruth was still a stranger in the land, so she would not have known the land and its people enough to know where and how to place herself strategically for the best results. When she left Naomi in the morning, she went out uncertain, seeking out “in whose sight I shall find grace.” God’s guiding providence led her there. Then, the second question “where wroughtest thou?” recognised that she had put in effort and had been diligent. Though she went out uncertain, she also went out with resolve. She had told her mother-in-law: “let me now go to the field and glean.” And the grain she returned with clearly indicated that she did what she had set out to do. She gleaned!
 
Though life may have its uncertainties, and we may not fully know what is in store for us in any given day, we must face life with a resolve and determination founded on a confidence and trust in the care and love of God. Jesus warned us about putting our trust and heart in earthly treasure and worrying about the daily things of life, ignoring and forsaking God.
 
THOUGHT: “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you!”

PRAYER: O Father, help me beneath Thy wings of love to abide.

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