“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.” (Ruth 2:12 NIV)
If you want to be richly rewarded, stay the course. Boaz is speaking to Ruth in today’s verse. He has noticed her working in his fields. Day after day, he watched her “glean behind the harvesters” (Ruth 2:3 NIV). Gleaning is picking up the fallen grain that the harvesters leave behind. This practice comes from the Levitical law:
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV).
Gleaning is not easy work. It’s scrounging in the hot sun for leftovers the harvesters have missed. Boaz was a generous man, when he saw how hard Ruth was working, he ordered his harvesters to let her gather among the sheaves (Ruth 2:15 NIV). Ruth had stayed the course, day after day. As a result, Boaz noticed her and rewarded her work. If you want to be richly rewarded, stay the course.
If you want to be richly rewarded, stay the course.
Boaz was a God fearing man, who rewarded Ruth out of his humanness. God’s rewards are far greater than a lessened work load. He, like Boaz, bases it on what we have done:
“God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” (Romans 2:6-8 NIV)
God isn’t expecting us to be perfect, He knows we’re not. He does expect us to try. He expects us to be like Ruth. Each day, we do what we know to do. We center our thoughts on God by spending time with Him. We do our best to be obedient to His desires. We try to forgive, we try to pray for our enemies, we try to love our neighbor. Some days, we may fail, but as long as we keep trying, that’s what matters.
God will bless you richly if you stay the course. On those days where you don’t feel His presence, or are unsure of what to do, do what you know to do. Trust that He is present even if you can’t feel Him. Take the next right step. Stay the course and God will reward your efforts.
Question of the Day:
What do you need to do to stay the course today?
Further Reading: Ruth 2:1-4:22 NIV, John 4:43-54 NIV, Psalm 105:16-36 NIV, Proverbs 14:26-27 NIV
