SIMPLE OBEDIENCE AND INCONSPICUOUS TOIL SEEN IN RUTH'S HISTORY

^[p. 123] SIMPLE OBEDIENCE AND INCONSPICUOUS TOIL SEEN IN RUTH’S HISTORY

She enters the land of Israel, inseparable from the once Naomi (pleasant) now Marah (bitter), but resigned to her circumstances, nay, content in them; she addresses herself to the smallest opening which is presented to her, which is always an evidence of a healthy and vigorous soul, and without hesitation or demur she embraces it. She says, “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace”. (Ruth 2: 2) It is the most unequivocal proof of true energy, where in any strait we are not only resigned, but ready to embrace any little opening to us, able to humble ourselves thereto, and testify to every one, even to our own souls, that God has not forgotten us, and that what is directly before us is quite sufficient to meet our necessities. We only require to be humbled to find it so. If we were to say or feel otherwise, we should impugn His care or interest on our behalf. Ruth sees that there is no opening for her but in gleaning, and to gleaning she addresses herself, and this was the Lord’s opening for her. Very humble, inconspicuous labour no doubt, but He sees not as man seeth, and He led her by the right way. “The meek will he teach his way”, (Psalm 25: 9) and therefore “her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech”. (Ruth 2: 3) “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted”. (Luke 14: 11) When we are docile we are led to fulness of blessing. Unless we embrace the humble opening presented to us, we shall never reach the goal of blessing.