December 23, 2023 - Ruth 2:14-23

The story of God’s gracious provision in Naomi’s and Ruth’s lives continues.  Boaz not only allowed Ruth to glean in his fields, he also fed here at mealtime, and “she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over” (2:14).  There is much to be gleaned (see what I did there?) from these verses (I’ll probably come back to these verses, tomorrow), but one thing especially comes to my mind:  Our God is able to and delights in overwhelming us with his goodness.  Ruth ate, was satisfied, and could have stopped there but she had food left over.  Verses come to mind:

Moses encouraged Israel as she prepared to go into the Promised Land:  “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2).  Paul encouraged the Corinthians, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Jesus teaches us that, when we give to others and treat others well, all things in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap” (Luke 6:38).  And, of course, there is Ephesians 3:20-21, in which the apostle Paul prays that his readers will “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” and all this from the One “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:19-20).  “She had some left over.”  That pretty much sums up our God’s goodness toward Ruth and toward us!

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.   --Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1897)