NEW CIRCUMSTANCES

Then Naomi said to her, ‘The man is our relative, he is one of our kinsman redeemers.’ Ruth 2:20b

As a young couple was traveling through Louisville, Kentucky they began discussing the proper way to pronounce “Louisville”. Unable to come to an agreement, they decided to stop at a restaurant and ask the local people. They walked into a restaurant, stepped up to the counter, and asked the waitress, “Please tell us exactly where we are.” The waitress replied, “McDonalds.”

Your perception of a situation can surely change how you react to that situation. Up to this point in the book of Ruth, Naomi has been viewing the whole situation as God’s judgment against her. But now that Ruth has shown her unconditional love by not leaving her and providing barley for her to eat, Naomi’s heart begins to surge with love for God as she blesses Boaz and then informs Ruth of Boaz’ position as her close relative.

What has changed most about Naomi’s situation is that she now has hope. What’s interesting to me is that this hope is not based on anything that Naomi can do. It is solely based on who Boaz is and what Boaz can do. Knowing the right person has completely changed her perspective.

Isn’t this true today? Knowing Jesus changes everything. Our faith is certain, not because of anything we have done, but solely because of Who He is and what He has done. “He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Today write down three things that have changed in your life since you believed. Then thank God for those changes.

Philip Moeller