A Famine in the Land

Daily Reading: Ruth 1

Scripture Focus: There was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab. (Ruth 1.1)

Devotional Thought: I love the story of Ruth and of Boaz, her 'kinsman-redeemer,' and how his love is a picture of the love of Christ for his Bride, the Church. I love how Ruth shows trust, love, and utter abandonment to Boaz as her redeemer, and how that is a picture of the church's faith in and dependence on Christ. I love how Naomi cares more for her foreign daughters-in-law than for her own safety and well-being, and how that is a picture of the church's concern for the lost.

The book of Ruth, however, starts with famine. There was a famine in the land of Judah, and Elimelech - a citizen of Bethlehem - left his home to go to Moab. Taking his wife and two sons with him, he went to a foreign land. The story that began with famine went from bad to worse. Elimelech and his two sons died in Moab, leaving behind three widows. There was no safety net in that society, and Naomi decided she better go home. How good it is when the church realizes the need to get back to her roots!

Naomi departed, and Ruth, who had fallen in love with Naomi and with her God, jumped at the chance to become a part of God's family, eventually even becoming an ancestor to the Messiah.

Centuries later there was another famine in the land. This time God sent his Son to Bethlehem to sojourn in the land of darkness and despair. And, God worked salvation through this Man, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you came to this land of famine and darkness and despair. Thank you that you became our Redeemer. Help us to share your love with a world lost in sin. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 63.1-5

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,