AUGUST 2, 2012
Take
Notice
Read: Ruth 2:13-20
Blessed be
the one who took notice of you. —Ruth 2:19
While
standing in a checkout line, I was estimating my bill and trying to
keep my son
from wandering away. I barely noticed when the woman
ahead of me shuffled
toward the exit, leaving all of her items behind.
The clerk confided that the
woman didn’t have enough money to pay
her bill. I felt terrible; if only I had
been aware of her situation earlier,
I would have helped her.
In
the book of Ruth, Boaz became aware of Ruth’s plight when he saw
her gleaning
in his fields (2:5). He learned that she was recently
widowed and was the
breadwinner for herself and her mother-in-law.
Boaz saw her need for
protection, and warned his harvesters to leave
her alone (v.9). He supplied her
with extra food by instructing his
workers to let grain fall purposely (v.16).
Boaz even addressed Ruth’s
emotional needs by comforting her (vv.11-12). When
Naomi heard
about this, she said, “Blessed be the one who took notice of you”
(v.19).
Are
you aware of the needs of the people around you—in your church,
neighborhood,
or under your own roof? Today, consider how you might
help bear someone’s
burden. Then you will be fulfilling God’s plan for
you (Gal. 6:2; Eph. 2:10).
Help me Lord, to
notice
The hurting, sick,
and lost;
Guide me as I help
them
Regardless of the
cost. —Schuldt
God works through us
to meet the needs of those around us.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
