This morning in our early morning Prayer Group we talked about truth telling and shared experiences that help and that hinder our life lived in truth. I realized afterward, that God is leading us to life with Him. Life that is abundant and lived caring for others with sincerity and grace. Isn’t that what Jesus modeled for us while He lived on this earth? He showed us how to live loving God and our fellow humans and He did so much more! He showed us what God’s love for us looks like.

Continuing in Ruth 3, we see lives lived simply in trust and faithfulness. Ruth is a widow and according to God’s provision for widows, a guardian-redeemer, a near relative of her late husband, could marry her and take care of her. Naomi, her mother-in-law wants that care and protection for Ruth because she loves her. She gives Ruth instructions to go to the threshing floor and lay down at the feet of Boaz, their near relative, and have his blanket cover her, too. As Naomi assures Ruth, “He will tell you what to do.” v. 4.

Ruth trusts Naomi completely and does all she says. Naomi would not have suggested this if she did not know and trust Boaz to do what was right. She knew Ruth was safe with Boaz.

When Boaz woke up during the night and discovered Ruth and what her actions suggested for him, he was amazed that she would choose him, a man older, to be her guardian-redeemer. She could have gone after younger and richer men. He assures her he will do what she asks, but that there is another, closer relative who could choose her as wife. “But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it.” v. 13.

In the morning she returns to Naomi with food Boaz had given her for provision for her and Naomi and Naomi says to her, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” v. 18.

Truth telling. The truth of God’s love for us needs no exaggeration and we can rest secure in the knowledge He loves each of us. We can also rest secure in the knowledge that He knows what we are and that we fall short. That’s why He’s leading us to a life lived with Him and sometimes that involves correction but if we receive that correction in love our rough edges can be smoothed out and we can see correction as the love it is. We can begin to realize we are not perfect and neither is anyone else. Just as we hope for mercy and grace, we can give mercy and grace. Truth in love begins with grace and brings closeness with each other and with our loving God who never turns away from us. He loves us. He is our guardian-redeemer and His love covers us in His great mercy and love. Receiving that kind of love, how can we not yearn for life with Him? Abundant life lived in love and peace with Him and with each other.