06 DECEMBER

WINGS OF REFUGE

“The Lord repay your work,

and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel,

under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

(Ruth 2:12, NKJV)

Ruth had admirable qualities but above them all was her faithfulness to God, her mother-in-law, work and everything placed in her hands. Boaz noticed her because of her diligence and beauty, humility and bravery and was told of her kindness and love. He blessed her with the prayer above, not realising that God was preparing him for a role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, through Ruth.

Of a truth, Ruth had come under the wings of the Almighty God for refuge. God answered Boaz’ prayer and not only repaid Ruth with rewards for her labour – food, clothing and shelter – but also gave her a full reward, using the very man, Boaz, who had prayed for her. He became her husband and God gave him the responsibility to use his wings to give her refuge.

We ask ourselves:

• Under whose wings do we go for refuge?
• Do we pray for others not related to us?
• Is our work done with diligence, such that God will reward us in tangible ways?

God is willing and ready to give a full reward when we ask, especially for the faithful.  An internet security joke was told about a woman who told her husband that her e-mail was broken into and the password was “mickeyminniebatmanrobintomjerryLondon”. He asked her why it needed to be so long. “Because,” she replied, “I was told it had to have at least six characters and one capital.”

Our security in God can never be compromised like the world’s! All we need is to simply believe in Jesus Christ, as Saviour and Lord, and place ourselves in God’s hands.

ACTION: Make the Almighty God, not man, your Refuge.

PRAYER: Oh Lord, please keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8).