“Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land.” Ruth 1:1a
Today’s reading brings me to the Book of Ruth, and this Verse is how it begins. It is truly an Amazing Story! From this famine, to Ruth’s encounter with Boaz, God’s Hand of Providence is seen all throughout her life. And Ruth, this Moabitess, one forever forbidden access to God, becomes the very Great Grandmother of David!!!
God’s Hand was on Ruth her entire life. He cared for her as she grew up, He directed her to Mahlon who she would marry, and sustained her during the death of her father-in-law. Later on, He would sustain her as her husband died and unite her heart to her mother-in-law Naomi as she returned to Bethlehem. He also gave her the desire to make the Jews her people, and their God her God. We read in Chapter 2, “she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” When we see this word “happened”, we must understand that this was no Accident or Coincidence. God ordered this as well. God Cares For His People!
And let us consider ourselves and how God cares for us; our time and place of birth, our parents, our friends, our schools, our workplace. Each had a unique purpose and place in our Story! The Who, the When, the Where, and the How, of the Gospel coming to us, was all superintended by God. It was no Accident! And finally, the opening of our Heart! Only Almighty God could do all this. May we fall prostrate before Him today!!!