September 10th, 2017
Devotional
“Traveling with Ruth: New Beginnings” - Ruth 2: 1-23
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Let me go the Fields and Glean” - Ruth 2: 1-4
Gleaning is hard work. In ancient times, gleaning was the act of going around the outskirts of a field and collecting whatever crop was leftover. This could only be done after the reapers, or those who tend the field, had picked over everything they could sell. What was left over wouldn’t be profitable, it wasn’t the best of the crop, but you could still eat it. Gleaning was a mandate from God in order to provide for the poor and the widow. This law is found both in Leviticus and Deuteronomy and applies to fields and vineyards that are harvested.
However, that did not make it easy work. It was a last resort. It was what you did when there was absolutely no other way for you to get food. It was exactly in that desperate situation that Ruth and Naomi found themselves.
For years, as a pastor, I have seen people at their most desperate hour of need - when there is no where else to turn to get the items your family needs. While many people talk about systems in place to help the poor being abused, we must look at the larger context - why do people need to glean or go to food pantries or sort through garbage cans for food? Because they are desperate. When we look at Ruth, we see the face of desperation and realize that it looks very similar to ours when tragedy strikes.
What does modern day gleaning look like today? How can you help people who are desperate for basic necessities?
Prayer: Loving God, forgive us for the times our hearts become hard and we judge whether people are worthy of the aid that we have to give. Help us to remember that all we have was once yours and that you have entrusted it into our care to reach out to others. Soften our hearts to the needs around us. Amen.
Tuesday: “To Whom Does this Woman Belong?” - Ruth 2: 4-7
The fact that Ruth is a foreigner is inescapable. Time and time again she is referred to as “Ruth the Moabite” so we, as the readers, don’t forget that she isn’t from around here. When Boaz returned to his fields, one of the first things he asks his workers was to whom Ruth belonged. In other words - he doesn’t recognize her and doesn’t know what she is doing in his fields.
Different communities treat those who aren’t from around here differently. In some areas they are automatically embraced and welcomed as family. For others, you could live in the community for over fifty years and still be considered an outsider simply because you weren’t born there.
For people of faith, we aren’t considered family because of where we were born. Or if this is our home church. Or even if we know anyone when we enter into a church building. We are untied through the cross. We are to treat each other as family, not after they earn that right through years of being present, but because we have the same God as our Heavenly Parent. Christ has opened the door so that all who believe belong.
Have you ever experienced being an outsider in a community? What was that experience like for you?
What are some practical ways we can welcome people and let them know that they belong when they choose to come to worship?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we judge people not by their hearts but by their outward appearances. We want people to prove that we can trust them long before we make them feel welcome. O Lord, forgive us for our mistrust. Help us see people not as insiders or outsiders, but as brothers and sisters in the faith. Amen.
Wednesday: “All That You Have Done” - Ruth 2: 8-13
Boaz takes the concept of gleaning and redefines it when he allows Ruth to be watched over by the men who are tending the fields and to be given food and drink while harvesting. These are beautiful and bold gestures of kindness to Ruth.
Ruth was so overtaken by gratitude that she fell down and asked what she had done to deserve such lavish kindness. The response? Boaz knew about how she had been looking after Naomi with love and kindness following the death of the rest of their family. He knew that she choose to leave her own people and come to be in a foreign place and amongst foreign people for Naomi’s sake.
Our faith is one that is meant to be lived out, not simply spoken about. Our actions and our words both need to reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ. Often people who do not yet know Christ complain that Christian’s words and actions don’t match, which makes it hard for them to understand what the faith is about. Not so for Ruth. Her oath to Naomi was matched by her actions in a way that spoke even to those who did not yet know her.
What can cause a disconnect between our words and our actions?
How can we live out our faith?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you that our faith in you is not just about our head or even our heart, but also our actions. Our deeds overflow as an outpouring of the love we have for you in our hearts. May our words and deeds, help others come to know the love of a Savior. Amen.
Thursday: “Heaped Up for Her” - Ruth 2:14-16
If what Boaz did for Ruth before was beautiful and bold, what he does next is unheard of. He offers Ruth part of his lunch, heaped grain upon her, and then told her to pick from the standing sheaves. He also ordered his men not to be cross with her and to even leave some of the grain that they pick in piles for her as she comes along after them.
As a result Ruth has access to far more grain then she would ever be able to get simply from gleaning. Because of Boaz’s kindness that went above and beyond expectation, she is able to provide for herself and Naomi. She is able to live.
Often we forget that there are people behind the acts of charity. There is a family that is going to receive the food that we give to the food pantry. The gifts we give around the holidays will go to children who may not get anything else on that day. Boaz reminds us that we are to go above and beyond because real lives are being effected.
What steps can you take to remind yourself that a real person or family will be receiving that which you give to missions?
Prayer: Lord, you thank you for the kindness of Boaz that went above and beyond. We thank you for his example to us, calling us to go beyond as well for those who are in need, even if we may never meet them face to face. Prompt us to give our very best, as if we are giving directly to you, Precious Lord. Amen.
Friday: “It is Better” - Ruth 2: 17-23
Once Ruth had committed to stay with Naomi and take care of her, Naomi reciprocated the kindness by taking care of Ruth as well. Naomi recognized the blessing of Boaz’s kindness to them, but she also knew that there may be danger, even with Boaz’s warning to the men, if she followed the field hands each day. So out of a desire to protect Ruth, even if it meant that they may not have quite as much grain, she told her daughter in law to stick close to the other women gleaning the fields.
Part of what we do in the body of Christ is look out for one another - trying to protect each other as best as we can. Sometimes people will heed what we are prompted to say, as Ruth did with Naomi, and sometimes other choices are made, however, we seek to love each other as God has loved us in all circumstances. Amen.
What are some ways that we can try to protect one another in love?
Prayer: God, use us in a mighty way, we pray. Use us to bless the lives of our brothers and sisters. Use us to proclaim your Word to the world. Use us as agents of love wherever we may find ourselves. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Traveling with Ruth: Celebration” - Ruth 4: 1-17
Family Activity: Next time your family takes a trip to a new place, take a moment to notice what things are similar to your home? What things are different? What excites you? What makes you nervous? How may this relate to how Ruth was feeling when she arrived in a new place with Naomi?
No comments:
Post a Comment