Wednesday, January 1, 2014

THE OVERCOMER

By Jack Davis

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7
God’s Son is the chief and full Overcomer and inheritor. He is the Overcomer in His people, and His people in Him – His body and especially His bride. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. Thank God, that our Mighty Conqueror has overcome for us, that He might also in us, by us, and with us. Some of these aspects of His overcoming are so powerfully expressed in  Revelation 12:10-11 – “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb (He for us), and by the word of their testimony (He by us), and they loved not their lives unto the death (He in us).” We praise God for making us partakers of that same victorious, giving, out-pouring life.
“EVEN AS I OVERCAME”
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” – Rev. 3:21. It is important that we are well aware of how He overcomes. From Revelation 5:5-6 we are made to understand that “the Lion of the tribe of Juda” PREVAILED as a “Lamb.” He is seen among the full overcomers as a Lamb slain, yet standing. Hallelujah! Satan could not hold Him down.
His overcoming example cheers us on. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” – John 16:33. “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” – Heb. 12:3-4. This is said after we are admonished to “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.”
In His conflict for us, He stooped to conquer; and conquer He did through weakness. “For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” – II Cor. 13:4. As He overcame, we also overcome by depending upon the Father.
We think of how He overcame in the temple. At the age of twelve, He amazed the scholars there. Later He cleansed the temple, overwhelming the money changers and driving them out. In the wilderness, He was victorious, as He used the shield of faith and the Sword of the Spirit so well; for “It is written” sent the enemy away. Then I rejoice in the way He prevailed “for us” in the garden. Oh, what a great victory He had won when He said, “Not My will, but Thine be done.”
On the cross He was a winner when He cried out, “Father forgive them,” and shouted with triumph, “It is finished.” He, through death, defeated “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” – Heb. 2:14. Even though He was in the tomb bodily, His spirit “went and preached unto the spirits in prison” – I Peter 3:19. Oh, how we thank God that we know Jesus was not in the grave in defeat. Then in the air (the space between the lowly grave and highest glory) He was the Victor, as He passed through the temporary domain of “the prince of the power of the air” – Eph. 2:2. “Having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” – Col. 2:15. “Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things” – Eph. 4:8,10.
It is so important that we realize that He is prevailing for us right now, at the right hand of the Father. His priestly intercession, based on the merit of His sacrifice for us on the Cross, wonderfully avails the Father’s favor to us.
SPHERES OF VICTORY
As He would overcome in and by us, we find on the Christian course that there are levels of conflict; that is, spheres of victory, in body, soul and spirit we are under attack. There are the world, the flesh, and the devil; or shall we say sin, self, and Satan to deal with. The world today has a powerful influence on mankind toward sin. But Jesus has not only overcome the world; but He “gave Himself for our sin, that He might deliver us from this present evil world,” providing our escape from its corruption, separating us from it, making us partakers of His Divine nature – Gal. 1:4; II Pet. 1:4. Our part is faith – I John. 5:4. Our fleshly nature has cravings that are against God. Satan knows this, so he works on the flesh to tempt us to go against our Father’s will. We are told to resist him – “Whom resist steadfast in the faith” – I Pet. 5:9. We are taught to refrain from making “provision for the flesh,” and to “walk in the Spirit,” and “not fulfil the lust of the flesh” – Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16.
Often the urge to disobey God comes on gradually, and as we entertain the thought it gets stronger and stronger. Usually, if we try to fight it off in our own determination, it will overwhelm us. At times, temptation will hit us all of a sudden with an almost overwhelming force, when we least expect it. Thank God, in whatever way trouble comes knocking at our door, we are well supplied and equipped to be “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” We are wise to call in the Overcomer to answer the door, when problems come knocking.
If everything we need to be victors is supplied, we have no excuse to live in defeat. Even if we have lost battles in the past, we are encouraged to “GET UP AND GO ON.” When our adversary brings terrible crushing heartbreaking experiences our way, they are intended to bring our complete defeat; and, also, many others may be hurt and hindered by them. We then become either bitter or better. But He is so ready and able to heal, and put down all resentment and rebellion from our hearts, if we are willing to let Him.
Remember, He has to allow the trial to come. Don’t forget, He allows it for our good. God also would use our victories to show up our adversary.
Paul gloried in necessities. Thank God, we also are a needy people; only thus can we become full overcomers. Otherwise, we would never come to know the all-sufficiency of God’s grace, nor the power of Christ resting upon (enveloping) us. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.” The Amplified Bible translates it thus: “Who in Christ always leads us in triumph – as trophies of Christ’s victory” – II Cor. 2:14. I appreciate that.
Every victory we have demands thanks to God. All our triumphs are caused by Him. Every way that we truly prevail is only and always “in Christ Jesus.” You may have heard it said that, in order to be triumphant, we must add a little of our “try” to God’s “umph.” But God inspired the Apostle Paul to teach us to not trust our try, but only in God’s almighty power – II Cor. 1:9-10; 3:4-5.
Our adversary knows well where to attack each child of God. Something that would seem hard for you to overcome, may seem easy for me. Something I would have a battle with, you may think nothing. Many things, that overcomers experience on their course, are not known by anyone except the Lord. But praise God! I know that one day the universe will stand in awe at the many hidden victories that God’s trusting children have won “In Jesus Christ.”
J. D.

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THE LAST DAYS

by Anita Clark

“Again the Word of the LORD came unto me, saying...take a man and set him for a watchman: If when he sees the sword upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and takes not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword comes, and take any person away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, DO son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me” Ezekiel 33:1-7.

Ezekiel was a watchman unto the house of Israel in the day when Babylon destroyed the nation and led many into captivity. The word “watchman” means “to peer, into the distance, to observe, and behold.” He was a faithful witness to the people for God. Many of us today have been set by God as Watchman in this end time, when in the very near future the tribulation of seven years will be on the scene. We need to be faithful by the Holy Spirit to peer into the future as He directs and send forth warning.

We are admonished through these words to Ezekiel to be faithful witnesses, so that the wayward are without excuse. If we do not obey God’s voice to fulfil our calling as His watchmen, then God will hold us accountable. We are living in the last days. Oh, weary watchman, keep the charge of the Lord to faithfully proclaim the TRUTH and the WARNINGS. The end time is upon us. Very soon He will come for His bride, His faithful believers. The world will be watching the Antichrist, the man of the hour on the earth, who will have the answer to the world’s need for peace. Shortly after that peace covenant (Daniel 9:27) is signed the tribulation will begin.

Along that line of thought, the news declares that Israel and the Palestinians are on their agreed upon nine month plan to discuss ways of peace to be accomplished. They may be very close to agreement. Secretary of State John Kerry said recently in a report upon that subject that he expects that the treaty for peace will be signed when he returns to Israel in April, 2014. This is very significant. We should be watching to see what takes place.

BLOOD MOONS AND SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS. – NASA announced that there will be four blood moons manifested in 2014 and 2015. These blood moons will take place on Jewish Passover, April 15th, and Feast of  (Tabernacles) October 8th of 2014, and then again on Passover, April 4, 2015 and Feast of Trumpets September 13, 2015. Not all blood moons appear on Jewish feast days, but when they do in the past something significant happens connected with Israel. When four blood moons appear in back to back years, scientists call it a “tetrad.” Many Christian Prophecy teachers and T. V. ministers in the U.S. have been proclaiming revelations concerning what these events might mean. None of them are setting a date for anything or declaring a specific event to happen, but rather that these are times to observe.

Significantly, a newspaper, The Jewish Press , which is a Jewish paper in the United States founded by Rabbi Sholom Klass, a publication of politics and religion, had an article about this phenomena of the blood moons. The article is called “Messianic Blood Moon: Rising on Passover” Seder Night,” and quotes Joel 2:30-31, “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” Peter quoted this passage on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:19-20, which we often teach is speaking of the last seventy-five days of the Tribulation, however there may be truth to be had concerning these blood moons also.

In Genesis 1:14 we read, “And God said, Let there be lights in the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” The word “signs” means, “signal, as a flag, beacon, omen, evidence, or token,” and “seasons” means “a fixed time, especially a festival or solemn feast as appointed before time,” not like we think the four seasons, winter, spring, summer, and winter. Jesus spoke prophetically of the sun and moon in Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”

The record of the blood moons and matching them up with events which have happened to Israel is interesting. A blood moon takes place when there is a partial lunar eclipse, happening when the earth’s shadow covers the moon only partially. The earth’s atmosphere bends light around its edge and scatters out short wavelength light (green through violet), leaving longer-wavelength light (red, orange and yellow) in earth’s shadow.

Past dates of blood moons “titrads:”
Four partial lunar eclipses occurred on the Jewish Passover in 32 A. D. - 33 A. D. in the years before and after the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus died on the Passover, and there was darkness at noon time. Then again at Feast of Tabernacles 32 A. D. and then the same thing happening in A. D. 33. Four total lunar eclipses occurred on Passover and Feast of Tabernacles in 162 -163 A. D. Coinciding with the worst persecution of Jews and Christians in the history of the Roman Empire, when in three years they killed eight million people, a third of the population.

Blood moons that affect Israel as we know it today:
In 1492 Spain was in an uproar, killing Jews that would not accept Catholicism, and expelling Jews from the country. God opened a way for many to come to a new land. By Christopher Columbus coming to this new land. In 1493 and 1494 only month after all Jews were ordered to get out, there were four lunar total eclipses on Feast of Passover and feast of Trumpets. 1949 and 1950 after Israel had declared statehood and became a nation again after 2,000 years of exile from their land, they were immediately attacked by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Israel lost 6,000 Israeli lives, but gained their land and freedom. And four blood moons appeared on Passover both years of 1949 and 1950 on Passover and Feast of Tabernacle. 1967 and 1968 Four blood moons appeared again coinciding with the six day war when Israel recaptured Jerusalem, which had been given to Jordan after the war in 1948-49. It was a miraculous accomplishment. Although they were totally surprised by the aggression of their enemies, they won the battles, and none of us who witnessed them streaming to the temple Mount wall can ever forget the joy of that victory. Since these happening there has been other “tetrads” of blood moons, but none on Jewish Feast Days.

The Jewish Talmud (Text of Rabbinic Judaism, expands on the Hebrew Bible, book of tradition/interpretation) says, “When the moon is in eclipse, it’s a bad omen for Israel. If the face is as red as blood, ( it is a sign that) the sword is coming to the world.”

Those of us who have made an in-depths study of these Jewish Feasts know that they are very significant to God’s time table of events. Jesus Christ died on the Passover, and fifty days later on the Feast of Pentecost, the church was baptized into one body, and the Holy Spirit began to fill believers. For many long years we have waited for Christ to come back in what is called the Rapture, when He will translate His overcoming Bride to Himself, and then the remaining ranks of the church in their respective times. The Feast of Trumpets corresponds to that time when Christ will blow the trumpet and the saints will rise up to meet Him. Then will follow the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a time when Israel would make booths out of tree branches and camp outside and have wonderful feasts and worship. This feast speaks to us of the Millennial Reign, or Kingdom Age. Oh, how happy Israel will be as those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as He returns in the clouds at the end of the tribulation, will dwell on the renovated earth in an agricultural society, as the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed. The other feast of the Fall season which I haven’t mentioned is the Great Day of Atonement, when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holy Place to make the sin offering for himself and then again for the people. At the end of the tribulation the Israelis who are left alive (tribulation will be so bad 2/3rds of them will die before the end.- Zech. 13:8). They will see Christ whom they rejected long ago coming in the clouds of glory and will repent and be born again as a nation born in a day ( See Isa. 66, Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-20. Zech. 14). As a nation they will receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their King and Savior.

As far as these Blood Moons are concerned, we will see what they bring. Perhaps something significant concerning the peace talks there between Israel and the Palestinians. Could this be the “covenant’ of Daniel 9:27? We believe that it will be signed about 30 days before Christ comes back for His bride. After that the tribulation begins with peace on earth for awhile. (See Rev. 6:1-3) the peace will be short lived, perhaps the war of Ezek. 38-39. Rev. 6: 4-5 says the red horse - war will break out again. Tribulation will continue for almost 7 years.

Jesus is coming so very soon.  It behooves us to heed the Scripture as Jesus said,  "Watch therefore; for ye know not hour your Lord doth come... Therefore be ye also ready; for in such and hour as ye

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God Still Works

"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."  John 5:17

Our God is a God at work. The Bible starts with Him working in creation, and it ends with Him working His purpose at the end of this age. In between, He has been working His purpose among men, and in those that have allowed Him.

There are many times that men have wondered if God is still at work. Some have even proposed that He just started everything in motion, and is just letting things happen however they happen. However, as we read through the Old Testament, we constantly find God's hand in the events of history. Nothing man has done or will do can change or hold back the work that God has planned. "Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?"  Isaiah 43:13.

God was working preparing for the coming of His Son Jesus. He was preparing for the right time. He moved people and nations to accomplish His plan for bringing salvation to man. God's plan has always been to bring all things together in Jesus Christ. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:"  Ephesians 1:10.

While Jesus was here, He went about doing His Father's work. Even at age 12, He was busy in the temple as His parents looked for Him. His constant will was to finish the work His Father sent Him to do. "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."  John 4:34.

God is still at work today in the affairs of men, but more importantly, He is working in the lives of those that have yielded to Him. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."  Philippians 2:13. We are so privileged to be the objects of God's work today. To imagine what God can accomplish for an eternal benefit to us if we just allow Him. And, as He works in our life, He allows us to work with Him in His purpose.

I have heard some that think that if we don't accomplish a certain task for God, that it will not be accomplished. However, I am reminded that nothing can stop or even alter God's plan. His purposes will be accomplished. The marvelous thing is that God calls us to work, and then enables us to work, and then accomplishes the work. "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:7. What a great privilege to be drawn into such a close communion with our Heavenly Father. He does not require our 'help' to accomplish His purposes, yet He still invites us along side by His grace.

We would be wise to allow God to work in our lives, and to be willing to do the work that He calls us to, as there is eternal value being worked by Him.
Gordon Crook


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God Loves Me, You, One Person

Part 3 of 5

by Carson Richards

There is another particular advance of love from the Great God – that to the individual. We have it in a great general sense, and yet that seems a little impersonal, until we realize that we as individuals are on His heart of love. Our Apostle Paul, told it aptly, when he said “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, BUT Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. Doesn’t it come closer to home to hear these words? Of course we might qualify it by the reasoning that it was a great official leader that said that of himself. True, but his leadership was as he himself indicated, “for a pattern.” We are not presuming too much to take this statement in Galatians unto ourselves as particular persons.

Moreover in Psalms 139:13-16 the Spirit of Christ said “For Thou hast possessed my reins, thou hast covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Herein is the prophecy of a great new creation of men. Nevertheless, notice the pronouns “I” and “my.” Lest we apply it only to Christ, we see His reference here to all His members. Each of us who believe in Him are one of those and a person in our own redemption right. Praise His Name! He not only foresaw us as a corporate new creation or the group principle, but has a love-recognition of each one of us as a unit of that great whole. Some of us are group oriented by nature, others are of a more private nature. Both have their place, and God has this way of love for both tendencies.

In the Gospel of John let us consider five individuals who have singular attention of the loving Lord here on earth. First John 1:47-49, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, before that Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.” Note that Jesus saw Nathanael’s virtue (God given of course) and He loved him for it. We are sometimes buffeted about as Christians and we get a hang-dog attitude of ourselves, but He is kind to point out good points of His nature He gives to us.

On into John chapter three verse one. “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.” Remember great John 3:16? It was spoken by our Lord to one man, Nicodemus. Even though he was a teacher of an insufficient message, he was not excluded form God’s love. Sometimes we get the idea that God doesn’t try for all kinds of people. He surely does, as this passage indicates.

In John 5:5, we see “and a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.” Here comes Divine love toward a man that society could not help. Verse 14, “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, behold thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” He loved an infirm man, and healed him body and soul. Yet he was one among many, surely, and just as surely shows that none need despair of a place in the Father’s love.

There stands out another kind of person who received this Divine attention, in John 8:11. Here is a woman rejected of the religious hierarchy and a veritable social outcast yet a recipient of Jesus’ love. He garrisoned about her to prevent condemnation by the Pharisees, and – “She said, no man, Lord, and Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.” Such love! He saved her and made provision for her to live decently, In our quest for candidates for salvation, we needs be careful we exclude no one.

And too, John 9:1, the last of our five. “And as Jesus passed by he saw a man which was blind from his birth.” Then verse 35 after his healing, being attacked for having it on the wrong day, and excommunicated from the “ins” of his religion, Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and when He had found him, He said unto him, doest thou believe on the Son of God?” Jesus sought him out in his lonely condition, healed him, supplied faith, and we just know that he was a happy man. No one else had suffered his pain; no one else could share his joy. Lets rejoice with him, and with all who have had practical proof that Jesus loves us each one. Really, now, who of us the saved, haven’t had such personal proof? Sometimes the enemy of our souls tries to bully us by some present indisposition, but reach back into the memory bank of our spirit, and say with the children of many countries, “Jesus loves Me, this I know.” Amen!


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RUTH


Debra Isenbletter

Ruth 2:2: “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

In this verse we see several things concerning Ruth. Her Past, Her Subject, Her Need, Her Faith, and finally Naomi’s Permission, which reveals Her Commission and Her Relationship.

Her Past: “And Ruth the Moabitess …” This is how she is first seen by others, as “the Moabitess.” It will be what she does next that will change how people see her. This is what she was, not who she is. By faith she is no longer a Moabitess and no longer an idolater! She had told Naomi, “thy people shall be my people and thy God my God.” (1:16). The moment she said that she let go of her past and stepped forth in faith into another relationship and another world. But those in Bethlehem Judah didn’t realize this, it will take her testimony of love for Naomi and Naomi’s God and her willingness to labor in the fields to show people who she really is. This shows how important our testimony can be, how it can change how people see us.

Her Subjection: “said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field.” Here she asks Naomi’s permission first before doing anything. She has been instructed in what to do. Now she is willing to do what is needed, no matter how hard it is. She is also showing honor to Naomi as her mother and her teacher. She is fulfilling the command of “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Ex 20;12). She is willingly submitting herself to another, to her elder. Peter says, “Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder … be clothed with humility.” (1 Pet 5:5). She is showing true humility of spirit, and also a willing obedience. “Obey them that have the rule over you.” (Heb 13:17). She has put on as a garment a “humbleness of mind” which is seen in her “kindness” and “meekness” (Col 3:12). This is the testimony of the “elect of God” and it is her need and her willingness to meet the need, no matter how hard the labor that brings forth this testimony. Her actions reveal a “meek and quiet spirit” (1 Pet 3:4). What a glorious testimony of the Bride of Christ. The potential is there, His life and nature are there, it is the circumstances, the hardships that bring forth for all to see this glorious testimony, this testimony that describes the Bride of Christ.

Her Need: “and glean ears of corn.” Here we see her need, it is a need to “glean” or “pick up what is left.” She and Naomi have nothing, they are dependent and Ruth is going to lay hold of the provision for the people of God. She can do this because of her testimony of faith to Naomi earlier. She claimed Naomi’s people as her own and Naomi’s God as her own. She also meets the criteria listed for going out to glean, it is her right. She is a widow, she is a stranger and she is poor. (Lev 19:9-10; Lev 23:22; Deut 24:19). There were no free handouts; this was not a welfare society. The poor were provided for but they had to work for their food. The promise was that both the one in need and the one who provided for that need, the one who had an abundance, would be equally blessed.

Her Faith: “after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” Here is Ruth’s declaration of Faith. She says “I shall find grace” – how does she know this? By faith! She finds grace when she goes looking for it! She looks for grace and finds a man who shows it! The word “grace” means “favor” or “kindness.” Looking at the provision made for the poor mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, we see what the Lord wanted His people to do in providing for the needs of others. But as in any law there could be and would be those who might not obey it. Ruth was dependent upon the attitude and response of whoever’s field she came to glean in. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown write: “The right of gleaning was conferred by a positive law on the widow, the poor, and the stranger. But liberty to glean behind the reapers was not a right that could be claimed: it was a privilege granted or refused according to the good will or favor of the owner.” That granting of the right to glean is grace. Ruth trusted that there would be someone who would overlook the fact that she was from Moab show “favor” or “grace” to her in letting her glean in the field. One commentator says that “Some generous landowners were known to have left as much as one-fourth of their crop for the needy.” But there also were others that could have refused, could have disobeyed, who could have been more concerned about their own wealth than the needs of others. Some would only see “the Moabitess” but there would be one man who would only see “Ruth”! Grace is God’s provision for those in need. Ruth knows she is dependent upon grace; she is willing to look for and lay hold of it. She is trusting in the grace of a man she has never met! She can do this because she is first trusting in the grace of God! She trusted there would be someone obeying God’s command for the poor. And every though the provision was there and she reached by faith for it, she was still surprised by it! (2:10).

This grace will come through one man, Boaz, who is a type of Christ showing grace! His grace has many facets and touches all areas of our lives, from the first moment we lay hold of it as sinners to afterwards when we lay hold of it as saints. His grace saves us and justifies us (Ro 3:24, Eph 2:8), it is through grace that our sins are forgiven (Eph 1:7) His grace empowers us. We live by grace because it is Christ living in us that empowers us (Gal 2:20-21). We are taught by grace how to live in this present world (Tit 2:11-12). His grace enriches us. We are enriched by His Sacrifice, he who was rich became poor for us that he might make us rich (2 Cor 8:9). We are enriched by His Word. It is “the word of his grace” that will build us up and give us or show us our inheritance. (Acts 20:32). We are enriched in every way through his grace, in our speech and in our knowledge (1 Cor 1:4-5). And that grace that saves and empowers and enriches us comes through Jesus Christ, He is the channel. He is our Boaz. We go forth in faith and say: “I shall find grace”!!

Naomi’s Permission and her Commission: “And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”
Naomi says: “Go” and in that word is the permission because she has asked and it also shows Ruth’s commission, her task, her duty, her job, her charge. She is to go find grace, go forth and go and don’t tarry, go labor, go and learn to submit to another. Finally we see Ruth’s Relationship: “my daughter.” Naomi knows who she is, now others will know who she is! Naomi is saying, I have taught you what I could, now go and put it into practice! Grace brought her out of Moab and into Judah. Grace will take her into a greater blessing and relationship! Grace will bring her to Boaz!

There is such a contrast between Ruth and the man she will meet, Boaz. She is poor and he is wealthy. She has nothing and he has everything. Her need will bring her to him and he will meet her need. Jesus is our Boaz, He is “a mighty man of wealth” and our need brings us to Him and He meets that need in every way! Praise the Lord!
To be continued


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