Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.—What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.—Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the foe.
Ruth 2:10 NLT; Rom.5:8 ESV; II Cor.5:19 NLT; Ps.116:12,13 KJV; Ps.107:1,2 ESV
I heard Ruth’s words in a new light this morning, a beautiful picture of God’s acceptance of me because of Christ. Just as Ruth had come as a stranger to Israel to take refuge in the God of Naomi, just as she found a redeemer in the formerly unknown landholder, Boaz, so I have been accepted in the Beloved. I am brought into the family of God through no merit of my own and accorded His tender care. What can I say but ‘Thank-you, I am so glad to belong to You, Lord.’ –LS
Just read Eugene Peterson’s intro to the book of Ruth this morning (in The Message with my husband while the tea water was boiling). This double dose of Ruth Truth is enough to make my heart sing!
You too are morning tea drinkers. Yay. I listened to Ruth read at Daily Radio Bible yesterday while washing breakfast dishes…I love the way the Word speaks fresh in a new translation… In this case the NLT. I found the British text edition at our local thrift. Really enjoying it!