Shifting Shadows

“Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning” Ruth 3:13.

I love how the word of God brings a new message no matter how many times we have read the Scripture. Such was the case for me this morning as I read our highlighted verse which wasn’t the first time to be sure. The beautiful blessing that jumped off of the thin skin pages of Ruth is one that I have learned the hard way over my adult life. There have been times when I pushed my own agenda onto my circumstances and forced something to happen. There have been other times since I’ve developed a more mature faith that I sat back and watched what God would do with my set of circumstances. Sometimes He gave in to me and other times I gave in to Him. What was the result? When I gave in to His plan what He eventually gave me was so much better than what I was trying to attain or accomplish with my own plan.

Both Ruth and Boaz could have easily forced the issue by following their impulses and desires that night in the dark. But instead they left space for God’s plan to play out...they took the way of legitimacy, proper channels and protocols. They didn’t take matters into their own hands and force an outcome, but rather trusted that God would work out everything according to their good and His plan.

When there is a decision to be made for all of us it would be in our best interest to ‘lie there until morning’...until God shines His light of wisdom onto our set of circumstances. Part of the beautiful principle of our verse this morning is the principle of waiting on God. When we move ahead of Him and force something to happen on our own terms we can possibly miss His best. We must be like Ruth and Boaz...leaving space for God’s grace, waiting on His plan and trusting Him for His best. When we panic and fear that we are getting ready to lose our perfect ....(fill in the blank) we are basically not trusting God. He determines what is good and perfect for each of us.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:16-17.

Risky Business

“Ruth approached quietly...and laid down... ‘I am your servant...Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer” Ruth 3:7b-9.

If I have ever seen a risky move it was this one.  Ruth was laying it all on the line and banking on Boaz living up to his promise of being the closest kin, responsible for the care of those who had lost their spousal providers.  She in essence was proposing to him asking that he cover her in protection, love and provision for the rest of her life.  She came based on the authority of the promise and surrendered her own comfort, pride and agenda.  Quietly she slipped to her knees, surrendered her own plans, waited for his response, and asked him for the very thing he could give her...new life...new hope...redemption after losing everything...well worth the risk. 

We also have a kinsman who can redeem our lives because He lost His life for each of us.  Through the surrender of His life we have the authority and invitation to claim God as our Redeemer.  Our part is to approach Him in gentleness, humility and trust.  We must recognize like Ruth that we are servants to a great King who has reserved a place for us.  We are to expose our vulnerabilities and frailties before Him asking for God to cover us, heal our hearts, expose our flaws and transform our spirits.  We can claim all of these things through the power of Christ who went before us.  When we finally lay down our own agenda and lie at the feet of Christ we take on His yoke, one that is gentle and humble, one that will give us rest.  ‘The place of surrender is the most freeing of places to be and the hardest to get to’ Kelly Minter, Ruth – Loss, Love and Legacy, p. 103.

‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’ Matthew 11:28-30.