The Doxology and Psalm 8:1.

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down to feed in Ruth. Chapter 1:15-18 stirred my thoughts, and the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind there:

Ruth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

It was an unprayed prayer. Within Ruth’s expression of love and devotion to her mother-in-law was a confession of faith toward GOD. The God of Naomi was attracted to Ruth’s humble spirit and heard the longing of her heart. He used the witness of the widow of a backslidden husband to call to Himself the Gentile widow of her son to bring forth Obed, the grandfather of David, of whom would come His own Son into the world to provide salvation to mankind (Matthew 1:5-6).

Boaz was the son of Salmon by the Gentile harlot, Rahab. Boaz married a Gentile widow named Ruth, the great-grandmother of David, in Bethlehem.

Along the still waters, I thought about the wonderful providence of God. Be mindful not only of what you ask for, but also what you wish for. He sees and hears the thoughts of the heart. We are instructed to “keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The word keep is from the Hebrew word נְצֹ֣ר  (naw-tsar’). It’s from a root that includes the meaning of keeping watch over, guarding, in order to protect, or to maintain. It can also mean to conceal or hide. God sees the thoughts of our hearts. We cannot hide them from Him.

Let us be diligent to tend our hearts so that when tragedy or other unpleasant circumstances befall us, faith will frame our thoughts into expressions of deepened devotion to Him. Let us be careful to whom or what we attach our affections, for thither will our heart incline, and cling in times of grief. Orpah, Ruth’s sister-in-law, loved her mother-in-law, but Ruth would cleave to her. Orpah was willing to attend Naomi’s return to Bethlehem, but Ruth was determined. When Naomi saw that Ruth was “steadfastly minded” to go with her, Ruth became Naomi’s daughter indeed.

Sometimes God gently pushes us away. He watches for our response. Many are content to depart from Him. But some refuse the separation and press harder for the connection. The reward to those who press for His presence is great! Ruth got included in the genealogy of God’s Son. We, too, may be blessed to be included at some greater level of involvement in His wonderful work (Matthew 28:18-20).

In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross, unwilling to accept His willingness to allow me to follow my own will, and pressing for His presence, I heard Him say: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, He encouraged me to remember my heart is praying even when I’m not aware of what it’s saying to God.

He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy attended us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

I think the LORD would be pleased for me to use this devotional for tomorrow’s Shepherd’s Pasture livestream.

I’m still struggling with some soreness in my throat, but at least I have some voice. Tonight we have a VERY SPECIAL TREAT! The Harold family is with us and will present a mini-concert. Also, our Missionary, Ryan Case, will be speaking!

See you in church!