The Larger Purpose
The Genealogy of David
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 This, then, is the family line of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
19 Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,
20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon, [a]
21 Salmon the father of Boaz,
Boaz the father of Obed,
22 Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David.
Tommy's Thoughts:
When things were fine and smooth, we might easily give out our warm thanks and praises to God, but when tragedy strikes, we often turn our back on Him, feeling bitter or betrayed and stop trusting in His faithfulness and providence.
We tend to question God with all the ‘whys’ when bad things happened in our lives. It was either we felt God is against us, thwarting our every step and plan to punish our wrongs, or we thought He’s not that all-powerful after all in solving our problems.
We should know sometimes God does allow certain pains, struggles and hardships in our lives for His purposes and greater good, which we might not be able to grasp or understand at that very moment. Just like Ruth, who was unaware of the larger purpose in her life, where God was preparing for the birth of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah through her.
Though, we might at times do not know the full picture or the importance for our plight, we can still live our lives with God’s eternal values in mind; trusting and obeying Him in all circumstances. As He has promised faithfully to be with us all the time, good or bad, we can have the assurance that He’ll bring great blessings even in our sorrow and trial.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me that sometimes I didn’t live my life in light of eternity; taking moral shortcuts and pursuing short-range pleasures and fulfillments. Teach me to be like Ruth, to have faithful obedience and trust in You, knowing the significance of my life may extend beyond my lifetime, and the rewards will outweigh all the sacrifice I may have made. Thank You Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bee's Thoughts:
When Naomi asked Ruth, her daughter-in-law, to leave her when her son (Ruth's husband) passed away, Ruth refused (Ruth 1 :16-18). Ruth rather die with Naomi, if need be. She didn't leave her mother-in-law alone, though she could according to the custom. Her faithfulness towards Naomi paid off. She finally became the mother of the royal blood.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me tonight to stay faithful and steadfast even when difficulty strikes. I should not look at my circumstances but to have faith that You have a purpose for all things that happened to me. Keep me strong and help me persevere through, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
