Anchor Devotional

See this and other editions of the Anchor Devotional online.

If someone forwarded this email to you, subscribe for yourself by signing up here.

Walking and Working by Faith

“The foreman replied, ‘She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. … She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.’” Ruth 2:6-7

Like her future offspring Jesus, Ruth’s faithful journey has been lonely. She likely became a believer in a family of unbelievers—and then lived for years in a pagan land! But she yearned for her true home. Even in (and especially in) her suffering, she longed to be with God and His people.

She walked by faith to an unknown land just as Abraham before her had done. She and Naomi traveled together, though we do not get the sense that Naomi warmly welcomed Ruth. It was more like Naomi gave in and stopped pushing Ruth away. When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi declared herself empty even though her daughter-in-law had been at her side the entire way.

But Ruth persevered. She went to work amongst the men, a dangerous business in a time when everyone did what was right in his own eyes. She was potentially risking her reputation and her life, hoping that she would find her home with God and His people. Ruth the Moabite trusted that God is faithful. This is the same God who has us in the palm of His hand for our journey today.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Ruth 1:18-2:7

INSIGHT
We need not fear danger when our safety is in the Lord of the universe (see Romans 8:28-39).

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Numbers 21-22
Psalm 72
John 13

Sign up to get the Know the Bible free email lesson series from Bible Gateway.