THE DESTINY OF A WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE

April 03, 2020

THE DESTINY OF A WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE


“Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence” (Ruth 3:11)

The story of Ruth is a beautiful account of godliness. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, who lost both her husband and her sons. One daughter-in-law left Naomi, but Ruth uttered those memorable words of settled faithfulness:

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ruth gave her life to serve a relative in need. The remaining chapters tell of her choices to work hard and serve her family, even though the daily grind was humbling and difficult. Through her patient, honorable decisions, God blessed her with a marriage to a wonderful man, Boaz. And then we read this simple, profound verse upon the birth and naming of Ruth’s first child:

So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:17)

Ruth was the grandmother of the one who would become the greatest human king in Israel’s history. Which also means, that through her line would come the birth of the Savior-King, Jesus.

NEVER QUIT

Ruth was faced with multiple choices where she could have chosen an easier path, a more selfish decision. But her continued submission to the will of God led her to be a great woman in God’s redemptive plan. She had no idea in the moment of the legacy that she would leave or the part she would play. She just decided to take the next steps in obedience to the Lord and service to her family. And God used her to save the world.

And he can do the same for you.

Lord, thank You for taking simple people and letting them become great players in Your eternal plan. Thank You for letting the humblest individual play the highest part. Help us take the simple steps of humble obedience to You and service to others. And then, Lord, use us for Your glory!

 

 





Also in Graceful Truth

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)

March 15, 2023

This is the heart of revival, both personal and corporate. Revival intimates two things have occurred: a drifting and a return. We have wandered from Christ. Our hearts have become cold and lifeless. To be revived is to be brought back to that which is life itself. It’s not a return to a program or a discipline. It is to fall in love with Jesus all over again. It is a repentance unto Him.

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)

March 10, 2023

Is prayer a nice thing to do? Something we resort to when we are in a serious situation? A word to describe one of the disciplines of the Christian life? Secondary, but not really all that essential? Something we do as a segue between songs on a Sunday morning? Or is it the essence? The foundation? The fragrance that is to pervade everything for the serious follower of Jesus? The ultimate pathway to communion with God and the source of life and power for all we are and do?

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)

March 09, 2023

Why should we pray fervently for the blessing of a nationwide or worldwide spiritual awakening? Why should we unite (as Jonathan Edwards said) in “explicit agreement and visible union among God’s people in extraordinary prayer for a revival of religion and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom on earth?” Why should we seek to cooperate together and not tear apart the beginnings of His awakening in our nation?

Continue Reading