Reward for Faith

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ru 2:12 AV)

God does not take lightly our steps of faith!  What Ruth did was far and beyond what most of us would do.  She was a Moabite.  Yet, she married into a Jewish family.  While in her own land, her Jewish husband dies.  Her mother-in-law offers her an out to return to her father’s house.  An out that her sister took.  Not Ruth.  Ruth decides to return with her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, to help her in life.  There were no guarantees.  She was among a different people.  Yet this amazing woman took care of her Jewish widowed mother-in-law.  She worked the fields to feed them both.  What Ruth did was choose to trust a God she barely knew for the sake of caring for someone in desperate need.

Boaz’ words here are precious.  They reflect the heart of our God would values faith above all else.  It is the foundation of our relationship.  To trust the LORD is the ultimate compliment.  To say that He is able to do above all that we ask or think is something that we will never completely understand.  For the LORD to see Ruth make the choices she did with faith and integrity is something He must bless beyond her wildest imagination.

What is equally special is the way in which Boaz noticed.  It would be hard not to.  In fact, the whole village was well aware of Ruth’s sacrifice, purity, faith, and integrity.  Something which is hard to ignore.  But here is the point.  We have a lot of requests for assistance.  People who are in financial need.  What sets apart some and makes it easier to help is when we see those who are willing to trust the LORD and do all they can do.  The application is simple.  We expect the LORD to answer all our prayers for no other reason than we have a need.  But the LORD appreciates those who are willing to show their faith by their actions.