Tag Archives: The book of Ruth

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; – J.K. – Saving Redeemer

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Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee once wrote that the book of Ruth is a “story of salvation on the black background of sin.” Compromise, corruption and confusion reigned. God’s judgment for His people was famine. So Elimelech took his wife and sons from Bethlehem to Moab. He thought things would be better; instead, he died. His sons took Moabite women to marry. Then the sons died.

She answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Ruth 3:9

And yet this family was a light in the darkness because Ruth, having married one of the sons, accepted Israel’s God as her God. When her husband died, she determined to live with her mother-in-law even if it meant extreme poverty for them. Then the Lord provided a kinsman/redeemer to care for, love and eventually marry Ruth.

America today may not be experiencing a famine of food, but it is certainly undergoing spiritual deprivation. Wickedness abounds – beheadings in other nations, and corruption and constant bickering here at home. Don’t let fear grip you, believer. God will not forsake you. Keep your eyes on Him. Intercede for those around you and for the leaders of this nation…that they may know the one complete Lord and Redeemer who can truly save them.

Recommended Reading: John 12:44-50

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Determination

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Our Daily Bread

Ruth 1:6,11-18;

Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. —Ruth 1:16

During a television news report on the plight of refugees displaced from a war-torn country, I was struck by the words of a 10-year-old girl. Despite there being little possibility of returning to their home, she showed a resilient spirit: “When we go back, I’m going to visit my neighbors; I’m going to play with my friends,” she said with quiet determination. “My father says we don’t have a house. And I said we are going to fix it.”

There is a place for tenacity in life, especially when it is rooted in our faith in God and love for others. The book of Ruth begins with three women bound together by tragedy. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, she decided to return to her home in Bethlehem and urged her widowed daughters-in-law to stay in their country of Moab. Orpah remained but Ruth vowed to go with Naomi, saying, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). When Naomi saw that Ruth “was determined to go with her” (v.18), they began their journey together.

Stubbornness is sometimes rooted in pride, but commitment grows from love. When Jesus went to the cross, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). From His determination to die for us, we find the resolve to live for Him. —David McCasland

My life, my love, I give to Thee,

Thou Lamb of God who died for me;

Oh, may I ever faithful be,

My Savior and my God! —Hudson

Love calls for commitment.

Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31