Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Redemption that welcomes the outsiders

Bible Reading: Ruth 4: 1-10

Key Verse Vs 4 b

"And he said I will redeem it "
 
DEVOTION

Ruth was a young Moabite widow who left her homeland and loyally followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to survive a famine. Throughout the book, we see God’s hand at work to bless them despite the tragedies they both faced. In chapter four, we see Boaz, a wealthy landowner, successfully presenting his case to the relative to acquire property and in doing so, was able to marry Ruth.
The book of Ruth showcases a beautiful story of God’s impartial mercy towards all, including the foreigner, and should challenge us as believers on what it looks like to follow God and support those in need. 
In the Old Testament, we see that God had commanded generosity from his people to leave food for others, especially the poor, which can be seen in Deuteronomy 24:19 “when you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” In the New Testament, we see Jesus living out the “welcome of God,” creating warm and hospitable spaces wherever he went, despite never owning a home and always being on the move. As Christians, we are called to live out this “welcome of God” wherever we are: whether it’s lending a helping hand, a listening ear, sharing a meal, or providing prayer - no materials are required for this kind of kingdom generosity but simply a willing spirit. 
 

PRAYER

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. 
Where there is hatred, let us sow love; 
where there is injury, pardon; 
Where there is discord, union; 
where there is doubt, faith; 
Where there is despair, hope; 
where there is darkness, light; 
Where there is sadness, joy. 
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
-A prayer attributed to St. Francis
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal…But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
- C.S. Lewis


Shannon Thomas, Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York

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