Short Thought continued.....

God will…

Life has a knack of throwing unexpected changes our way, changes which are beyond our control.

For Naomi, the changes began with a famine which resulted in relocation,

followed by the loss of her husband and sons, and continued with a 

homecoming filled with uncertainty and insecurity.

Yet God provided for her along the way and in particular during her homecoming:

‘One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”  Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 

So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters.

And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that

belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.’ 

(Ruth 2:2-3 NLT)

Nothing is incidental; everything is in God’s plan and purpose.

Ruth didn’t just happen to glean in any field; she gleaned in the field of a generous, compassionate landowner

who demonstrated God’s love and ways by providing and protecting her and her mother-in-law.

Initially Ruth kept to the edges of the field; however at the right time she took a step of courage to come out of hiding and into the open.  She presented herself to Boaz during the night through the humble act of sleeping

at his feet; this implied her willingness for him to become her kinsman redeemer and husband. 

In doing so she took a great risk and one which significantly changed the future. 

Ruth did this under the wisdom, guidance and support of her mother-n-law. 

Perhaps at the moment your life is not going according to plan;

you find yourself in circumstances of change, difficulty or loss.

Where is the field God is providing for you?

What stalks of grain and provision is He leaving for you to pick up?

Who is He placing around you to wisely guide, support and help you?

What courageous step do you need to take to change your future?

God will provide, protect and help you: He will provide the field, He will leave stalks of grain for you to pick up,

He will place people beside you to help, He will set a new course for your life.

Have faith and place your hope in Him. 

God has a plan and will work on your behalf.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’ 

(Romans 15:13 ESV)

Posted 9/3/16