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THE KINSMAN: A PICTURE OF GRACE AND PROVIDENCE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
Jeremiah 15:15-21

Ephesians 3:1-12

 

“According to the eternal purpose

which he purposed in Christ…”

 

THE KINSMAN: A PICTURE OF GRACE AND PROVIDENCE
 
The Book of Ruth presents the workings of providence in matters of life facing ordinary people. These workings have compassed the decisions and circumstances in life, and have also been reflected in the duties and responsibilities of life. In the kinsman, God’s providential working is pictured in the person and character of the redeemer. Apart from God ordaining and giving ordinances that govern the lives of His people, and making available His grace to them, God also providentially leads and governs the lives of His people through their decisions and choices. God is not limited by means. He is able to use circumstances, even those that bring pain and suffering. He is able to use opportunities, even those that are lowly and common, and available to the underprivileged and vulnerable like the gleaning of Ruth, as well as those that are virtuous, and humanly uncommon and limited like the charity and generosity of Boaz.
 
“…I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jer 15:20). In Jeremiah 15:20, we have a reminder that God’s grace and providence make provisions for His servants as they seek Him and stay true to Him, walking with Him all the way. However, although grace and providence work for God’s children and servants, this does not translate to a carefree, trouble-free or easy life, neither is it a guarantee for a materially and outwardly successful life. Like Jeremiah, some may see little or no outward reward, but God’s presence is sufficient to save and deliver all His children out of all their troubles as stated in Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” God’s presence is also sufficient to protect and defend His children and servants against all their enemies. Jeremiah himself, while he was in prison, was instructed by God to pay for the redemption of land for Shallum. We see the work of a kinsman-redeemer in an acted-out prophecy in Jeremiah 32:6-15, which declared that even in the face of impending captivity, Jerusalem would still be inhabited in the future, and the fields and vineyard would once again be sold in the land. This was an expression of faith in the future.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Jeremiah 32:27 and 33:2-3.)

PRAYER: (Read Jeremiah 32:17-19.)

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