As we read Scripture, we would be wise to observe and apply Scriptures to our lives today. All that God has recorded is for our good and has relevance for all time.
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.â€
(Romans 15:4, NLT)
“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.†(1 Corinthians 10:11, NLT)
We are to read with our eyes and ears open, attentive to what was happening at that time. Their lives and experiences have been shared for us to make application today and perhaps, learn and live wisely.
While reading in Ruth the other day, these instructions given to Ruth by her mother-in-law, Naomi, stood out:
“Now do as I tell you – take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” (Ruth 3:4-5, NLT)
One verse prompted me to ask myself a few questions:
- Prepare. Ruth prepared herself to go and be near the feet of Boaz. Do I prepare my heart and mind to spend tie with, and hear from God?
- Notice. Ruth had to notice the place where Boaz went to lie down. Do I notice where God is?
- Wait. Ruth had to wait for Boaz to tell her what to do next. Do I wait at His feet for Him to tell me what to do next?
Father, help me to prepare myself to hear from you, to take notice of where you are and your activity, and to wait upon you. Help me not to be so quick to get up and leave your presence but to wait for you to tell me what to do next. Thank you for Your Word which brings instruction to my life in order to mold me into the woman I am to be in You.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and #RaRaLinkup .
Teaching through I Peter with my women’s class, I have loved his reminder that the OT writers were recording things “not for themselves but for us.” How cool is it to think that when God directed that Ruth’s story should be part of His written record, He had our need for encouragement in mind??
It is absolutely mind boggling to think how we were on God’s mind as He recorded each of these stories for us. A corporate word for Church as well as a personal and individualized word. Amazing!
Great thoughts to read this morning! I especially liked “All that God has recorded is for our good and has relevance for all time.” That is so true. Thanks for sharing.
And I am so grateful to know that His Word will be there for my children and grandchildren long after I am gone.
I never tire of Ruth’s story. Over and over the life lessons that I need are displayed in how Ruth approached and lived her own life. I love how you broke down Naomi’s instructions to Ruth into Prepare, Notice and Wait.
I will be thinking about those three points as I go through my week. Blessings!
All to often I tend to prepare, notice and then … go. It’s the waiting part that I need to remember.
Joanne,
Thank you for the reminder that scripture, both Old and New Testament, has relevance for our lives today. Though the culture has changed, their is still a principle that bridges from yesterday into today. Our job is to ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to recognize it and learn from it. Great reminder.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, God’s Word will always have relevance no matter what is going on in this world or in our lives. And sometimes as I read Scripture, I realize they really were not much different than we are today 🙂 May God grow us in discernment and in His Word.
I hope you are doing well in your recovery! {{xo}}
Do I notice where God is? More often, I want God to notice where I am. But I could be so much more effective if I was going where he is already working.