Rewind

Ruth 3:16 – 17 “When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, ‘How did it go, my daughter?’ Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her and added, ‘He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ”

Don’t you just know that Naomi was up all night, pacing the floor, wringing her hands, praying for Ruth? Don’t you know that she was begging her Heavenly Father for this scheme to work? For it wasn’t just Ruth’s future that was at stake. Naomi’s future was closely intertwined with Ruth’s. Naomi had no heirs, no sons to take care of her. Ruth was her last hope, for if Ruth married and had a son, that son would inherit Naomi’s dead husband’s land, and Naomi’s place in the family would be secured.

So when Ruth returned in the wee morning hours, the first words out of Naomi’s mouth were, “How did it go? Is he going to marry you or not?” I can just imagine the excited, giddy way in which Ruth told the story. This was girl-talk at its best! I mean, seriously. We’ve got suspense, romance, a hunky hero . . . it doesn’t get much better than this. But wait, there’s more! Ruth added a bit to the story that was left out before: “Mother, dear, Boaz didn’t want me to return to you empty-handed. This is for you.”

Wait a minute. Press the pause button. This reminds me of something back in chapter one. Hmmmm . . . let’s rewind, shall we?

Ruth 1:21 “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.”

Now, fast forward again.

Ruth 3:17 “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ “

Now, I want you to rewind and fast forward as many times as it takes for the light bulb to click on in your mind. Naomi’s family left God’s promised land full, and went into the world. She returned empty. Now, she was back in God’s promised land, and she was no longer empty-handed.

Friends, Naomi had it all wrong. It is the world that leaves us empty, not God. Life outside of the will of God always robs us, strips us, and leaves us dry as a bone. God is the One who fills us up, who blesses us until we are abundantly full. Our Father never, ever leaves us empty-handed. He loves us beyond measure, beyond description. He wants to pour into our lives His riches of wisdom, love, purity, and on and on and on.

Do you feel empty, my friend? Then run to your Father, and just wait at His feet. He loves you, and He wants to fill Your life with His goodness.

Dear Father, Please help me to recognize your abundance and generosity in my life. Thank You for filling me up with Your love.

Amen