Scripture: Ruth 2:8-9 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”
Devotion: Read through our Scripture for today again (really). Isn’t it such a beautiful picture of Boaz providing for Ruth? In ways that she could never have thought of or asked for on her own, he is providing for her and Naomi’s every need.
When we think of the idea of providing in our own life, we often think about income. After all, money is a necessary part of providing for our family. Our hourly wage or salary is what we need to adequately provide for ourselves and our loved ones. In doing so, we attribute the idea of providing to a person or a few people. Growing up, my parents provided for my needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We had a lovely house and family meals together. We had a home filled with love and laughter. We prayed together and went to church together. They were fulfilling their God-given responsibility of providing for their children in the best way that they could.
But what if attributing it all to my parents is actually misplacing providence? You see, the Lord provides for every need that we have. That doesn’t mean that we always receive everything that we want or that His blessings are always stewarded well by others. What it does mean is that He is sufficient for every need we have.
John Piper defines God’s providence as “wise and purposeful sovereignty.” He knows better than us all. He knows what we actually need. He knows when we need seasons of abundance and seasons of pruning. He knows when we need seasons of joy and seasons of trial. And in each of those seasons, He is the one who provides it all. He brings it all about. He is wise and purposeful in all of His actions and what He ordains.
Rather than continuing to have the view that our needs are met by ourselves, our parents, our income, or the hand that life has dealt us, let’s recognize God’s providential hand in it all.
Reflect:
- When in your life have you easily felt God providing for your needs?
- When has it been more difficult to feel and why?