I just find God's Word so refreshing. We can read the same things over and over, and each time get a different perspective. It is definitely Living Truth. I was reminded by Tenney about the book of Ruth. He discusses the fact that it is time for our Churches to stop having "Church" and to start waiting for God and preparing themselves to receive His presence. He continues by discussing that the road that brings God's presence is paved with the repentance of the hearts of His people.
2 Chronicles 7:14-18 (KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place.
For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man [to be] ruler in Israel.
Back to Ruth. I remember reading Ruth a few months ago and at the time, I think I was focused on the social interaction, but also on the fact that God provided for and chronicled the heirship of David. This chronicled event proves that the Lord had a plan from the very beginning. But if we don't parallel this with our own lives we've only gotten half of the picture.
Tenney discusses the reason Naomi left with her daughter Ruth was to go back home and to find bread. To start a new life because she had no place in the world where she was at. To get filled with actual food, but also to be able to survive. But it was this act, and the act of Ruth meeting Boaz' that was the germination of the seed that would provide spiritual food for the whole world. So the Lord had a plan indeed.
So often our thought processes are composed only of the two L's. Linear and Literal. The design of God's Word was in a sense both of these things, but also as a roadmap to greater things. The breaking of bread is also a literal and a spiritual process. Bread provides for our sustenance, but when you break it, you intend to share it. This again highlights humanity's nature to share and communicate.
So as with Naomi, the marriage bond of her sons and daughters was broken with her sons death, yet it was just in preparation to create another bond that was to be shared with the world through Ruth's progeny. Sharing. Joining. Seeking. Waiting. All of these components were present in this story which is again what I think the Lord wants to communicate with us as well.
One must be hungry for spiritual bread before they can be filled with it. We have to join together. We must share truth with one another. We must seek His face. Finally, we must wait on Him. He will come. Our hunger compels it.
Thanks for reading.
God Bless All of You,
Dan Darden.
No comments:
Post a Comment