RUTH

Chapter 1

Ruth 1 Daily DEVO “I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” So Naomi returned…Ruth1:21-22a – Often life and the situations we find ourselves in within it can begin to create new ways of seeing ourselves. Those ways aren’t always positive either like we see with Naomi. Her difficulties made her see herself has one that God looked bitterly on and despised. So she began labeling herself that way and telling others to do the same. Yet how do we see God in His Word refer to Naomi after all this? He calls her Naomi, who see really is, not by the lies she’s told herself. Our goal needs to be trying to see ourselves more in the way God sees us. Maybe that going to be humbling, maybe that’s going to be shocking even. God though sees us as we really are, not shaded by lies or influenced by anyone. Learn how He sees you and let that be how you see yourself. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 602

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. Ruth 1:6-7 –  Last night a tornado hit a city very close to our own. When you can stand in your driveway and see the tornado coming down from the sky, you need something bigger than yourself to trust in. Naomi was dealing with her own natural disaster, famine. Her family moved from one place to another in search for food to provide for themselves. Yet just like us last night, Naomi was in a season she needed someone bigger than herself working for her good. In Deuteronomy 8:3 we see scripture remind us that man doesn’t live by bread alone but by the word of God. In our moments, or seasons, of deep need we need someone bigger than us providing for us and sustaining us. Yes, run to your storm shelter but remember to as well run to your true shelter in the storm. Yes, seek bread to fill your stomachs but remember to seek the bread of life for true filling. Maybe that sounds a little too poetic for you, but my heart is simply don’t forget Jesus in these moments. You have God’s ear listening to your voice and you have God’s hand on your life. Don’t forget what you have in Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1979

Chapter 2

Ruth 2 Daily DEVO Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.” Ruth 2:8 – As you read through this chapter, notice our Boaz’s relationship with Ruth mirrors how Jesus is with us. Jesus wants us to stay with Him and keep our eyes on Him and Him work. He wants us to be satisfied and have extra leftover in our life. He wants to keep us safe from those who would harm us. Know as kind and as sweet Boaz is being here to Ruth, Jesus has a much kinder and sweeter love for you. Choose to accept the fact Jesus loves you like this. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 603

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” Ruth2:20 – Redeem = to gain or regain possession  of something in exchange for payment. Here we see God working deeply behind the scenes. Opening doors, guiding gently, and opening hearts. Of all the people Ruth could have gone to, she “just so happened” to find herself in Boaz’s field. Her redeemer’s field. Today you have found yourself in your redeemer’s field. Maybe you knew you were walking into His presence, maybe you just stumbled in here, but you as in the field of your redeemer Jesus. Here Jesus will protect, guide, feed, love, and grow us. You have a redeemer in Jesus, someone who wants to regain a relationship with you and has paid the highest cost to do so. Know today you are in His field; He sees you and even if you are unaware of it He’s providing for you. Now He’s welcoming you into His house and into His arms. Come in, dwell, and be with your redeemer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac  – Daily DEVO 1980

Chapter 3

Ruth 3 Daily DEVO She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” Ruth 3:18 – Eww, the four letter word we dislike to hear and read we have to do….wait. Yet like with Ruth, if God tells you to wait that means He is working and preparing things for your next step. Possibly it’s things just aren’t ready yet for you to move on, maybe you aren’t ready to move on, or it could be that you need to stay in this stage of life a little while longer to help in someone else’s story. The reasons God tells us to wait can be many, but know there is a reason behind the command. God hasn’t forgot you and He never will. If God is directing us to wait, listen to that command so you can fully enjoy the blessing when God brings it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 604

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” Ruth 3:1 – Naomi knew what was going to be best for Ruth. If Ruth was able to find a worthy husband, he could provide rest and security for her in ways that Naomi couldn’t. So Naomi began the process of pointing Ruth to her redeemer. Do you have people in your life you love? Do want the absolute best for them? Do you believe that Jesus can do more for them than you can? That He can offer rest and security for them in ways you never could? Then begin pointing them to their Redeemer. Help them know who Jesus is, help them know the path to Him, help them know the sort of rest and security they can find in Him. Be seeking rest for those you love in the arms of their Redeemer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1981

Chapter 4

Ruth 4 Daily DEVO And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:17 – Genealogies in the Bible can be long and filled with names that even the best of Bible teachers just wing it when trying to read them out loud. Something amazing though is seeing how God had this all planned out for so long. We see here this story made it possible for king David to be born and as we read in the Gospels if you keep going down the line Jesus was to be born. What happens along the way can be unique and even confusing much of the time, just know in your life God sees your future and He knows what’s ahead. Sometimes the directions won’t make sense, just remember the one who knows it all is giving them and trust He has your best in mind. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 605

Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” Ruth 4:6 – Boaz offers the chance for another one of Naomi and Ruth’s redeemers to take ownership of all that was owned by Naomi’s late husband. Yet, after finding out that this would include marrying and having children with Ruth, the other redeemer refused because it would impair, or mess up, his own inheritance. How beautiful is it that we have a God who is willing to “impair His inheritance” to redeem us. He’s not worried about what it will look like to bring us into His family. He’s not worried about sharing His wealth with us. He’s in no way concerned about what may arise if He invites us into His house. He is a cheerful redeemer. Know Jesus is overjoyed about bringing you into His family. Nothing could please Him more than having you come to Him. He will work till the end of days for you and He’s already given His life for you. You are wanted by God. You are loved by God. God wants you dwelling in His home with Him. Come, be in your redeemer’s home. Your story won’t mess up what God has; what God has will heal your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1982