KEEP IT UP

• DAY 148
• FAITH FILE: RUTH
• SCRIPTURES: RUTH 2

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.

RUTH 2:8, 10-13

Dear Person of faith,

Keep doing what you are meant to be doing. I know it can tough and difficult sometimes but keep at it, your courage is not a waste.

When Ruth went out to glean, God gave her favour with Boaz and he accepted and provided for her. This was strange to Ruth because although she was a woman of courage, she had little expectation of life and a poor image of herself. If you have been reading this devotional from the beginning then you might wonder how this is possible. Because in our other studies, we realised that people of faith have healthy esteems and big expectations. That is very correct. However, faith and couraghe as we have said countless times is a journey. Some contradictions often exist on the way.

Contradiction

You will find that a man who called fire will be the same man that runs away to hide. The man after God’s heart, might murder his loyal soldier to hide his adultery with his wife. And probably the man that said to scared congregation of people, “do not be afraid, stand still” will turn around and cry to God. and the father of faith will be so impatient that he produces a child out of wedlock. Faith is a journey and Ruth is no different.

She was bold to declare “I will die with you.” but timid enough to say, “Why do you favour me… i am not even up to your servants.”And you cannot blame a poor widowed, foreigner, in a new city, if she feels some level of fear. But this is not our focus today. We are looking to what Boaz responded to the question.

Courage Speaks

He said, I have heard of the good you have been doing for your mother-in-law. You see, Ruth wasn’t doing any of this hoping a reward will come. She only doing what she knew was right. And someone heard and favoured her.

Listen, your good deeds cannot be forgotten. Your courage is being registered just as the giving of Cornelius. So don’t despair. Fight the good fight of faith continuously. Don’t cheat, don’t decieve, believe God, serve Him, trust Him. even when it feels tough, lean on Him to carry you through. Whatever you do, keep it up. Your good reward is being prepared for you.

Shalom