Many are facing challenging times. Headlines and daily newscasts are a continuous reminder of the turmoil of everyday life. It is easy to get weary in a world where your belief system is contested every minute. It\u2019s easy to get angry, upset, anxious, even depressed over living in this day and age. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are supposed to treat others as we would be treated. As in Proverbs 25:21-22, \u201cIf your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward you.\u201d What the scriptures are talking about here is kindness. There is a principle regarding kindness, an act sorely missing in today\u2019s society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recall the story of Ruth during a time of famine. After moving from Judah to Moab seeking food, her mother-in-law Naomi\u2019s husband died. Then Naomi\u2019s two sons died. Ruth was married to one of the sons. Orpha was married to the other. Naomi, left with nothing, decided to return to her homeland of Judah, of the God of her fathers. She knew at least in Judah her people would care for her. She encouraged Orpha and Ruth, both Gentiles, to remain in Moab. Orpha departed. Ruth, however, refused and chose to remain with Naomi, saying, \u201cfor where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay; your people shall be my people and your God my God.\u201d This demonstrated Ruth\u2019s devotion to not only Naomi, but importantly her choice to follow the one true God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naomi had a relative on her husband\u2019s side, Boaz, who was prominent and wealthy. Ruth went to Boaz\u2019s fields to follow behind the harvesters and glean what was left, as was the Biblical custom for widows who had no family to support them. Boaz heard how Ruth was so very kind to Naomi and was impressed that she left her homeland to remain with Naomi. He told Ruth to harvest what she needed and said, in Ruth 2:12, \u201cMay the Lord reward you for what you have done; may you be rewarded in full by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.\u201d Long story short, Boaz was a family member who could legally rescue Ruth and Naomi as a redeeming kinsman. Boaz eventually married Ruth and redeemed Naomi\u2019s husband\u2019s and son\u2019s family tree, by having a son with Ruth. That son was David\u2019s grandfather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naomi and Ruth faced turmoil from famine and tragedy from death. Their response was kindness and a work ethic to survive. Boaz recognized this and responded in care, mercy and kindness. Proverb 25:22 speaks of the Lord\u2019s reward for kindness, as did Boaz in Ruth 2:12. Christ also speaks in Matthew 5 about loving your enemies, blessing them that curse you and doing good to them that hate you, \u201cthat you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.\u201d Then he asks for if you love those who love you, \u201cwhat reward do you have?\u201d It is easy to respond to today\u2019s circumstances with anger, but that anger can turn to bitterness, fear, and anxiety\u2014all things that harm us personally which is what the devil wants for us. As with Ruth, you are under the wings of the Lord. Take action and act in kindness, where there is blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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