Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: June 19th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ruth 3:18

We spend another day considering Naomi's advice to Ruth following the latter's midnight vigil with Boaz. Yesterday we focused on the fact that Naomi's advice to Ruth centered on the word "wait." Now we consider the basis on which that advice was given: "– the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." Clearly, Naomi is convinced that Boaz will leave no stone unturned until the matter is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Scripture does not tell us how much Naomi knew about Boaz, but we can safely assume that she would have known a good deal about him. It would be rare in Israel, where even today family life is still close and intimate, for near relatives not to know almost everything about one another. As we shall see, Naomi's reading of the situation was quite correct for Boaz truly was a man who would do everything in his power to keep his promise and act according to his word. Who can fail to see in these words a picture of Christ, our heavenly Boaz, who at the beginning of time set about the task of overcoming every obstacle that stood in the way of our salvation? Such was His commitment to us that He endured the most horrifying experiences to woo us, and win us to Himself. I am reminded of an old preacher who was expounding the difficulties which Christ overcame in order to bring us safely to heaven. He put it in this quaint but intriguing way: "God thought it, Christ bought it, the Holy Spirit wrought it - thank God I've got it!" With all my heart I say - Amen!

Gracious and loving Father, when I contemplate the tremendous obstacles and difficulties which my Lord Jesus Christ overcame to save me, there are just no words to express my gratitude and praise. Thank You, dear Father. Thank You. Amen.