We have been studying the Book of Ruth for 15 weeks now and I am grateful to God for using Kelly Minter to dive so deeply into it and then share it with others through her study book: "Loss, Love, and Legacy".
Glancing back over my book, I see many things that have happened in my relationship with the LORD through this study. I think about how He has revealed areas to me where I do not trust His provision, how He has corrected my thoughts on how I abide and approach Him, how He has uncovered prejudices that were hiding in my heart.
But this week's lesson for me, wasn't about being taught or corrected by God. This week I had a feeling I had not had before.
This week.........................I fell in love with my Savior.
This week.........................I fell in love with my Savior.
It is something I have always wanted ----to fall in love with Jesus. When others would say they were in love with Jesus, I honestly didn't know if I knew really what that was. I honestly didn't know if I was. I tell the Lord I love him when I pray, and I know that to love Him also means to love others, but I've wanted more. I've wanted intimacy with him. I've wanted to fall in love with Him.
In this week's study, (Ruth, chapter 4) Boaz approaches the nearer kinsman-redeemer to give him the opportunity to redeem the land of Elimelech. The kinsman-redeemer agrees to redeem the land until the marriage of Ruth is added in to the arrangement. The kinsman-redeemer's response now is:
"Then I can't redeem it,"..."because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it." Ruth 4:6
With Ruth added into the deal, the land suddenly is not worth the cost to the nearer kinsman- redeemer. He hasn't rejected the land but he has rejected Ruth.
"Then I can't redeem it,"..."because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it." Ruth 4:6
With Ruth added into the deal, the land suddenly is not worth the cost to the nearer kinsman- redeemer. He hasn't rejected the land but he has rejected Ruth.
I have heard those words before in my life,
"You're not worth it"
I have seen those actions towards me before in my life,
REJECTION
From people and even family I have felt deep pain thinking,
---I didn't really matter,
--- I wasn't worth the effort or cost,
----so many other things came before me,
or that alcohol or work were more important than me
or that someone else was chosen over me.
I'm remembering now........
My chest is getting heavy......
My heart feels like it is being squeezed.....
My tears are starting to come.....
It feels dark around me.....
It's hurting , hurting , hurting......
I glance back at Scripture and reread the verses of Boaz's response:
...But if he is not willing, then as surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning." Ruth 3:13
Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, "you are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. Ruth 4:0-10
On the threshing floor, in the dark of night, Boaz speaks to Ruth's heart that He will redeem her and THEN in the center of the most important people in the city his actions and words literally shout to everyone -
SHE'S WORTH IT! I LOVE HER! SHE IS WORTH THE COST!
...But if he is not willing, then as surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning." Ruth 3:13
Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, "you are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. Ruth 4:0-10
On the threshing floor, in the dark of night, Boaz speaks to Ruth's heart that He will redeem her and THEN in the center of the most important people in the city his actions and words literally shout to everyone -
SHE'S WORTH IT! I LOVE HER! SHE IS WORTH THE COST!
Though another has rejected her, Boaz has not. She has a REDEEMER. SHE HAS A LOVER.
and my thoughts are drawn to Jesus. MY Redeemer.
Who speaks to me from his Word in my own darkness of pain and shouts from the cross
MY CHILD, YOU ARE WORTH IT, I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE WORTH THE COST!
MY CHILD, YOU ARE WORTH IT, I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE WORTH THE COST!
The cost was the highest price....precious blood
and He went to The Cross for ME. It's a basic Christian truth I have known for a long time but, in this moment, the cross speaks these specific words to my heart "You are worth it."
And the beautiful truth washes over me: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter1:18-19
What was handed down to me was rejection BUT what was given me was redemption.
And the beautiful truth washes over me: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter1:18-19
What was handed down to me was rejection BUT what was given me was redemption.
It is light around me now.....
My heart feels as if it is opening....
The heaviness on my chest is lifted....
But my tears continue to fall.....
because I'm falling in love with you , Jesus
Thank you Jesus, My Redeemer, for not rejecting me ever, for giving the ultimate cost of your life so that I could know you and your love. Praise you Lamb without blemish or defect who gave your precious blood for me. Only by your grace can I even fall in love with you. Only by your grace can I fall more in love with you. Thank you Jesus, I have a lover and it is you. Please help me never to forget.
