Bible Reading: Ruth 2:3-12
Memory Verse: Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Devo:
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I think cleaning out the chicken coop is pretty high. On a hot summer day, I had to dig out all the manure with a shovel. It was sweaty, stinky, and black flies were always in my face.
That awful job took just one day, but Ruth had a hard life. She lived with her mother-in-law, Naomi. They were both poor widows. After her husband died, Ruth chose to stay and serve the God of Israel and care for her elderly mother-in-law.
Ruth found food in fields after the farmers had already worked them. She picked up barley grain that was left behind from the workers. She found a good place to work in the fields of a man named Boaz.
Ruth worked faithfully. She wasn’t a mighty warrior or a miracle worker. She simply did whatever she needed to do to feed her mother-in-law. The people in the village talked about what a good person she was.
Boaz, the rich land owner, learned about Ruth and her faithful work. He married her
Her was faithful in her work. She wasn’t a warrior or a miracle worker. She just faithfully worked to feed her family. at the job in front of her. When you read the story, God did bless her. Boaz married her and she was no longer poor and alone. She’s the great grandmother of David, who killed Goliath.
Ruth teaches us how to serve. Doing homework and washing dishes and vacuuming the floor isn’t fun. When we do these things, we should do it for the Lord and not for another boss. It’s really Jesus that we’re serving.
What about you?
If Jesus was going to eat the next meal at your house, how well would you wash the plates?
When you do homework or your next chore, do it as if you’re doing it for Jesus. What does that feel like?
Prayer: Thank you heavenly father that I have the ability to work. Thank you that my work can be a way of worshiping you. Let my worship be pure and joyful for you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.