There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Ruth 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family. [Ruth 3:9]
God set up a system of support for the Israelites, in case they got in trouble: If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold. [Leviticus 25:25ff].
This was the ‘guardian-redeemer’, the family member who stepped in to help their loved one through their crisis.
Ruth is claiming the care of this relative, for herself and her mother-in-law.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago). [Luke 1:68-70]
Zechariah describes how God will provide a redeemer for His people, a close relative who will step in to help their loved one through their crisis.
We are God’s loved ones, He becomes our relative (human, our brother), He rescues us from our misery and despair.
God had promised through the prophets that He would step in and be their Redeemer.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. [[Isaiah 41:13-14]
We are in trouble, whether we realize it or not.
We are caught by the chains of sin, death and hell, and unless God steps in we will perish.
Ruth reaches out for help, she appeals to her redeemer for help.
But God does not wait for us to reach out first… He first comes to us.
For God so loved His children that He stepped in through Jesus, that whoever accepts Him as their redeemer will not perish but enjoy everlasting life [John 3:16].
God cares about us, He knows our pain or poverty or struggle, He will help us.
He has already taken the first step, He is wanting us to take hold of His out-stretched hand.
Like Ruth, reach out to Jesus, and know that He is already reaching out to you.
PRAYER:
Lord, I need You, even if I do not fully realize it. You love me, and I know that I do not fully appreciate it. Today I choose to trust in You, to know that You will care for all my needs. My redeemer!