Day 10: Ruth 2:11-13 - I’ve been told all about what you have done

11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”

Ruth’s reputation as loyal is spreading.  What a wonderful thing to be known for in your new homeland. She came to town as a foreigner and widow with nothing. And not just any foreigner, a Moabite. The Moabites descended from deep sin and were looked down upon by Israelites. Despite all of this going against her, it didn’t take long for her to be known for her love of her mother-in-law and work ethic. Her character was outshining her background and circumstances.

What would you say you are known for? What traits would people list about you if asked?

What we do and how we live matters. Not only for making things happen in our lives, but in how people see us and interact with us. And as Christians we are told that people will know the love of God by seeing how we live life and love people.

Boaz gives Ruth a blessing…that the Lord repay her for what she has done and for her to be richly rewarded. Boaz recognizes that she has come under the wings of the Lord to take refuge from her circumstances and loss.

Ruth replies with humility, thanking Boaz for his favor and putting her at ease. With every action Ruth is proving to be a woman of strong character.

In a small way she is beginning to see some light in her dark situation. All because she came under the wings of the Lord for refuge. While Ruth didn’t stand by and wait for others to fix things for her, she did crawl into the wings of the Lord for refuge. She stepped into the opportunities He laid before her. And things are about to take a turn.

How can we take refuge in the wings of the Lord? What does this look like in our lives?

Do you ever think about the impact your actions – big or small – have on others?
​
What can you do to live a life that demonstrates God’s love?