You Have Come to Take Refuge

A full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. (Ruth 2:12)

Ruth 2:4-16

What Is God Saying?

Ruth was born in Moab, where the people worshiped Baal of Peor. A severe famine brought Ehmelech and his wife Naomi to reside in Moab, but Ehmelech didn't live to return to Bethlehem. Naomi’s sons married Moabite women. After ten years, these sons also died.

Ruth, now widowed, was given the choice of staying in Moab amid familiar surroundings or accompanying her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. She said to Naomi, ‘Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; May the Lord do so to me and more also if other than death parts me from you’ (Ruth 1: 16-17).

Ruth became an ancestor of Jesus. Ruth’s new husband, Boaz, said to her, ‘The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward is given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge’ (2:12).

How Does This Apply To Us?

Ruth was drawn to Naomi because she had come to trust God. Naomi's sincere faith drew Ruth to make her decision. We are thankful for the evidence of God's love in the lives of others. They help us follow Christ to forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Come to prayer. Claim his reward and find shelter in his love.

Pray With Me

Dear Lord, Ruth responded to the beauty of Naomi's character with loyal love. In the same way, help me respond to the revelation of yourself in the lives of those I love and respect. I would forget what’s behind and press toward the prize of God's high calling in Christ Jesus. I would seek the refuge of your great love.

Jesus says, ‘Come unto me!’ Give me a heart to follow. Give me the will to obey. Give me the wisdom to leave past mistakes and embrace the future with you and for you.

Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

We don't pray to be rewarded, but when we seek the Lord's will, we are rewarded. We engage in prayer without shame or apology because we need a refuge. In prayer, we find the refuge of God's love revealed in Jesus.

The shadow of a mighty rock in a weary land,

A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noonday heat,

And the burden of the day

Continue in prayer, enjoying its rewards, and accepting the refuge it gives.