Under His Wing

The Lord spreads His covering over us, we were unworthy sinners, yet He took us as we were and lavished us with His love and with gifts.

by VANESSA WHITE

Read Ruth 3:1–18

So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. ⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. ⁸ At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! ⁹ He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Ruth 3:6-9

For your time of prayer, before you start a devotional or time alone in God’s word it may be helpful to read and reflect on a passage like Psalm 36:9; 119:18; 131:1–2. Commit to listening to God speak and obeying what you hear him saying. Our God speaks, He directs us. When we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.

Ruth went down to the threshing floor and did all that her mother-in-law commanded her. Ruth’s character displays such humility, grace, yielding, submission and obedience. V. 7, Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.

I absolutely love the parallel between Boaz and Christ Jesus our Redeemer! This beautiful picture reminds me of what is like to sit at the feet of Jesus or lay my burdens down at the foot of the cross. To lay down my life for God’s glory because of His gracious Love, He lavishes us with His steadfast love. He is our redeemer, our greatest treasure.

Do you know Him as your redeemer? Do you know Him as your greatest treasure?

At the feet of jesus

Theses passages remind me of the story of A Sinful Woman who was Forgiven by the LORD. The woman with the Alabaster Jar. Luke 7:36-50  And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 

I love JESUS’ response, His words are life for a weary soul. He says in Luke 6:47-50, Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among^[a] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

What does it mean to sit at the feet of Jesus?

It means we go to the LORD, with a humbled heart, in our brokenness or even just in a heart of love. We seek Him, seeking His direction, His guidance. To behold the beauty of the LORD, we see it in His words when we read scripture, His words comfort us, guide us, He gives us understanding, wisdom and knowledge. We learn to grow in His grace.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

How do I find rest in Jesus?

Matthew 11:28, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

We can come to Him, we can lay at the feet of Jesus and rest in His love. It’s by faith we come, it’s by faith we know that we are dearly loved.

By faith, I lay myself down letting His love and the truth of His word wash over me, I ask the LORD for His help to obey Him and believe what He says through His perfect word.

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Awakened at midnight

Boaz was awakened at midnight and found Ruth at his feet. Boaz blessed Ruth after she had asked him to redeem her. These scriptures warm my heart and make me smile! Do you see the goodness of God!?

 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Ruth 3:8-9

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25

The Lord spreads His covering over us, we were unworthy sinners, yet He took us as we were and lavished us with His love and with gifts. In His presence there is fullness of joy. He encourages us with his precious promise, He will return and take us to the Marriage Supper. We await this pure bliss beautiful union of our Bridegroom King’s Return.

A worthy woman

And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.  And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.  And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

Ruth 3:10-13

Boaz shows Ruth kindness and he says to her; “do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.”

V. 3:11 a worthy woman, the Hebrew phrase used here, esheth chayil, is also used in Prov 31:10 to introduce the section on the ideal wife (Prov 31:10–31). Ruth is known throughout the town as a hardworking and capable worthy woman. She is virtuous!

Be still my soul

So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her.  And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

Ruth 3:14-18

Ruth stayed at his feet just before dawn.

Boaz filled her shawl with six ephahs of barley. This assured Ruth of his deep love and gave evidence to Naomi that he would follow through without delay. When Naomi heard all that had taken place, she told Ruth to sit still and wait for the outcome of this complex of sequence of events.  = WILLIAM MACDONALD

This is often the most difficult part of faith- when no more action can be taken and nothing remains but to wait patiently for God to work out His will (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union), 

SIT STILL MY DAUGHTER, JUST SIT CALMLY STILL.

NOR DEEM THESE DAYS, THESE WAITING DAYS AS ILL.

THE ONE WHO LOVES THEE BEST, WHO PLANS THE WAY,

HATH NOT FORGOTTEN THY GREAT NEED TODAY.

AND IF HE WAITS, ‘TIS SURE HE WAITS TO PROVE TO THEE,

HIS TENDER CHILDREN, HIS HEART’S DEEP LOVE.

SIT STILL MY DAUGHTER, JUST SIT CALMLY STILL.

THOU LONGEST MUCH TO KNOW THY DEAR LORD’S WILL.

WHILE ANXIOUS THOUGHTS WOULD ALMOST STEAL THEIR WAY

WITHIN BECAUSE OF HIS DELAY,

PERSUADE THYSELF IN SIMPLE FAITH TO REST

THAT HE WHO KNOWS AND LOVES WILL DO THE BEST.

JUST SIT STILL MY DAUGHTER, JUST SIT CALMLY STILL.

NOR MOVE ONE STEP, NOT EVEN ONE UNTIL HIS WAY HATH OPENED.

BY INNER BEING THEN, I’LL THEN HOW STRONG

AND WAITING DAYS NOT COUNTED THEN TOO LONG.

‘TIS HARD, OH YES; ‘TIS HARD, ‘TIS TRUE.

BUT THEN HE GIVETH GRACE

TO COUNT THE HARDEST SPOT THE SWEETEST PLACE

J. Danson Smith, “Sit Still,” 

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Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant faithfulness, thank You for Your sovereignty that You are in control of all matters, nothing is missed by You. Help us LORD to sit at Your feet, to rest in Your love. Help us to be still. Psalm 116:7 says; Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. Help us not to worry or be anxious. Help us to fix our minds on You. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Help us to be filled with humility, obedience and grace, yielded and submitted to You. Help us to yield our lives afresh daily to You. We glorify Your holy mighty name, You are faithful and true. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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The gospel