Abound

Rth 2:8-10

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: (9) Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. (10) Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?


How God has abundantly blessed and encouraged me! this may be more of a praise than a Bible study, but how refreshing are my God's mercy and His grace to me. I see here a picture of what my Lord has done for me. I came to His fields, not knowing who He is. I did not even know that I was in His fields, only that I did not have a right to anything I had got. God took notice of me. He came to me and said:

1.) Hold fast what you Hear. Hearest thou not? His voice was not harsh and rebuking, but kind and full of love. I expected and deserved rebuke for I was nothing more than a thief and a beggar taking that which did not belong to me. I could not help but listen further for fear, wonder, and awe that He would speak to me.

2.) Feed in only my Field. Go not to glean in another field. I'm sure there were some that looked more attractive, possibly bigger fields in which one could easily reason that there was more to be gained. Maybe the grain appeared to be more abundant, or she had heard of how much others had come away with from the other fields. Go not to glean in another field, for I will care for you. Go not to glean in another field, for I have taken notice of you. Go not to glean in another field, for you will be well cared for here. Stay separated.

3.) Walk with the Wise. Abide here fast by my maidens. They know my care, they know my ways, they know my supply, they know me. Stay with them. Walk with them, talk with them, learn from them. By this I will learn more of God. Listen to those who are further along the path to His presence. Stay with the man of God, walk with the wise, be enlightened from the elders.

4.) Watch where they Work: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap. The work may be hard, the temperature hot, the ground unforgiving, but watch where they work. Focus, meditate, do not let your eye, and therefore your mind wander. Don't be distracted, you will find all you need where they work.

5.) Follow the Faithful: and go though after them. These are the faithful laborers who I have sent out into my harvest. The harvest is great and they are gathering the fruit that remains. They will receive the rewards of their labor. I want to give them these rewards, and I want you to receive them as well. Go thou after them, glean. Learn to share the Gospel. They have done the hard part, I offer you the fruit of their labors, only go thou after them.

6) Provided Protection: Have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? None can even approach you while I will not allow it. By My word they come, by My word they go. By My word they rebuke, and by My word they allow. You will be protected with my people.

7.) Refresh in My Resources: and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. What is it you need? I have provided. Come, drink freely of the waters of life! It is here, drawn for you. Come immediately. Don't wait until you are parched, but simply thirst. When the need, nay only the desire to comes, drink of the water freely.

My response was as Ruth's. My joy is overwhelming. To think that God has welcomed me with such open arms and freedom in His fields. To think that I, who was a stranger and deserved only His judgment have been favored not only with His mercy and allowed to survive, but that He has given me abundant grace and encourages me to live!

Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA