We finished up the book of Ruth and continued with 1 Samuel. During the time of judges we see the corrupting nature of sin as men were being led astray from God. In Ruth we see the same thing happening but also a strand of hope. God in his providence provided a line to redeem his people. The line leading to David through Ruth and Boaz. What a great story… a love story…

God in his providence uses such unknown people from an unknown town struggling with the unknown to gather his people to him. Did Ruth know that her confession to Naomi was epic? How little we disregard the everyday, common parts of life. God is the God of the mundane. It is in the mundane parts of our lives that truly shows whether we believe God is who he says he is. Do we believe Christ? Do we believe the power of the Holy Spirit.

what is comforting is that He is who he is whether or not we believe. He is utterly separate from us that he does not depend on our belief or faith… but the great and mysterious and wonderful thing is that he shares his greatness with us.

We see this with the marriage of ruth and boaz as well as his descendent to David and beyond. In 1 Samuel, we see Hannah crying to God. It is in her misfortune that she dedicates her first born samuel for the work and service of God. Ironically this is also where we see Samuel obey the voice of God and Eli disobey the voice of God. As we read through the first few chapters of Samuel, we are amazed at the hardness of heart, the utter disregard for the things of God of Eli’s sons contrasted with devotion and love and thankfulness of Hannah and Samuel.

We too are assualted everyday… from the HEAT in this fallen world. We too have to respond to the HEAT. We see Eli’s sons respond with THORNS. In their zeal for self, they blaspheme God’s holy temple. But on the other side we see Hannah, tormented by life itself for being barren. But instead of trusting in herself, she turns to the CROSS. She sees that her life and all that is in it must be trusted to God. The mundane parts of her life as well as those very important to her must be trusted to Him who gives life. As a result, she bears great FRUIT. It is not only through her son Samuel but also in her that we see the POWER of God working.

With this we have great hope and great joy. May we look to Christ in all situations.