Your God, My God

 

Naomi doubted
but Ruth determined

to make her mother-in-law’s God
her own

and You show up
in every little thing

never ever leaving us
alone.

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You establish Yourself in everything.

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” ‘Look,’ Naomi said to her, ‘your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.’ “

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go. I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us.’ “

Ruth 1:15-17

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Image from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp, page 109.

Bought Back

“And Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, ‘You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi’.” Ruth 4:9

“Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day.” Ruth 4:10

When I was dead in my sins and about to be cut off forever, Jesus my Redeemer bought me back.

Father, thank You for the resurrection of Your Son Jesus, by whom we’ve been given a holy inheritance. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Back To Life

We are now witnesses
of what has been wrought

souls saved, lives changed
a Redeemer has brought

what was once dying
back to vivid life

what satan hoped to cut off
is now growing in Christ.

A Kinsman Nearer Than I

“Now it is true that I am your near kinsman; however, there is a kinsman nearer than I.” Ruth 3:12

The kinsman nearer than Boaz was unable to redeem the land and give an inheritance to Naomi’s deceased husband and sons.

Lord, we praise You – our Kinsman Redeemer – nearer to us than anyone else. And here’s a simple poem . . .

One Nearer

There is One much nearer
to you than I

He is the Savior
the Lord God on High

He will redeem you
from wherever you’re at

come now, go to Him
He waits for you to ask.

Let Your Eyes Be Here

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women’.” Ruth 2:8
“Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” Ruth 2:9

Ruth was willing to listen. Am I?

Oh Lord, may I be willing to glean where, and what, and when You ask me to. And here’s a simple poem . . .

This Field

Stay in this field
the one for you I’ve chosen

close by my servants
as the harvest unfolds.

Have I not commanded
my protection over you?

Keep your eyes here now
embrace all I do.

Returning

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread.” Ruth 1:6

Things can be going along so well that I don’t even notice I have moved away from God.

Lord, I long to return to You daily / hourly / moment by moment. For You alone have what I need to survive. And here’s a simple poem . . .

He Visits Us

Floating in His peace
blessed – just so blessed

how did we end up here today
in such an inner mess?

Oh let us return to You, Lord
over and over again

to the land of Your sustenance
where You visit us with bread.