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KISS OR CLING

Ruth 1, 2

Boaz was a relative of NaomiÕs husband (Naomi was the mother in-law of Ruth). He was described as a man of great wealth; not just ordinary wealth. The day that Boaz set eyes on Ruth, her story was wrapped with favor of God for good. Boaz put in place an uncommon protection and provision for Ruth. As a result of his favoring Ruth, she responded to the favor, ÒSo she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, ÕWhy have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?ÕÓ (Ruth 2:10) At any time that we undertake a noticeable action that glorifies God, Heaven will react on our behalf. In this life, there is no good work that will go unnoticeable before God. Ruth was consciously being sincere when she refused not to turn her back and go away from Naomi. Ruth genuinely and sincerely stood with her in her time of loneliness; at the time of her going back to her family after the death of her two sons. By RuthÕs act of sincerity, she positioned herself to encounter favor. When Ruth questioned such favor, she received an answer back from Boaz for the reason of her being favored. ÒRuth 2:11-12, ÒAnd Boaz answered and said to her, ÔIt has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.ÕÓ In this world, there is nothing that goes unnoticed before God. If you have made the choice to be disrespectful or uncaring for your in-laws or elder, you will reap the fruit of someone that fails in obeying GodÕs commandment. What kinds of seeds have been sowing on your God given ground? Whatever you sow is what you will reap. It is impossible to sow oranges and reap apples. The two daughter in-laws of Naomi had decided to move with her back to her country after the death of her two sons which were their husbands. At first, both refused to yield to NaomiÕs offer for them to back. Eventually, Orpah accepted going back, but Ruth refused based on the reason of compassion. RuthÕs genuine heart and sincerity made her to cling onto Naomi while Orpah returned back just with a kiss. RuthÕs decision was rewarded when she met the great wealthy man, Boaz. Whatever you consider good, cling to it with sincerity and with a genuine heart and you will not end up empty. Sincerity is not stupidity; it is a special grace that will get you to where God wants you to be. RuthÕs sincerity took her to her promised land. Do not kiss your favor good bye, but rather cling to it.