Pathways

Walking down tree lined pathways is my one weakness. Okay, so I have many weaknesses, but I love finding trails and pathways and walking them. I want to know what is at the end of it. I don't often do that these days, I don't think it safe for a single gal to walk some secluded pathway alone. So, when I get the chance to, I jump at it.

I have for a very long time, loved the concept of the trodden path. Amy Carmichael, who was one I read much of in my early years used the phrase 'trodden path', and as I have continued on my journey with the Lord, I am constantly reminded, I have not walked this pathway afresh, but others, godly men and women, the Lord himself, has gone before me.

Recently, as I was walking a 'new' pathway on my journey, a friend said that she did a study on paths, and encouraged me to do the same. I had to chuckle, with my love for pathways, I had never done that before. So, I did.

Path- A way beaten or trodden by the feet of persons (or animals)- a narrow walk or way- a route or course along which something moves- a course of action, conduct, or procedure: the path of righteousness. 

Webster Dictionary

Trodden- Tread- to set down the foot or feet in walking, step, walk- to step or walk, to form by the action of walking- a single step

Webster Dictionary

The word path, or some form of it, it use74 times in scripture, mostly in the Old Testament. One of my favorite stories is when the Angel of the Lord, kept getting in the pathway of Balaam to prevent his journey. Balaam would be stopped, he would try a different path, only for the Lord to stop him again (Numbers 22). I wonder how often my stubborn will has caused the Lord to continually stand in my way to protect me from myself?

There have been times when my pathway has be lit up and very clear, passage was smooth and peaceful. 'Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path', Psalms 119.105. Yet, at other times, like the present, my path is unsure, unclear. It is definitely a one step at a time journey. There have been moments it has felt as if I were to take the next step, the unseen before me, it would be off a cliff. The Lord doesn't always let us see what is in front of us, which is where faith and trust comes in. Remember playing the game, where some one blindfolded you and lead you around, telling you what to do and when? You couldn't see, you had to have faith and trust that your friend would lead you well and safely.

My prayer this morning was that the Lord would give clear direction. That He would lead and guide me safely to what I was to do. One of my greatest fears is that I will mess things up, and not be the example to my kids that I desire to be. I want them to see that my course of action, would truly be of conduct, or procedure towards the path of righteousness. I want them to see that no matter the hardship, God is faithful, and will provide.

Perhaps you too, feel like your pathway is dark and unsure. Your head knows the Lord will take care of you, but your hearts emotions hasn't caught up with your head on the pathway. As you trod your pathway may these words encourage you has they did me this morning.

'You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Ps 16.11

Post Script on Ruth

I know, I said it was the en' of it, but on Sunday, Pastor Nate finished up the last few verses which are a small genealogy. Yet this genealogy is the most important of all scripture.

¹⁷ The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

 ¹⁸ Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez ^[a]was born Hezron, ¹⁹ and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, ²⁰ and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon, ²¹and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, ²² and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.

Yep! Obed was King David's granddad! Maybe Obed was the one who taught David to love music and to be a skilled shepherd. Just a thought. But the genealogy doesn't stop there, of course. If you look at the first chapter of Matthew,  you will find at the end of it is, Jesus. The story of Ruth, this lovely story of faith points to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! As Pastor Nate said, Jesus takes the curtain call.

God, from the beginning of time has been writing the stories of scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, and each one points towards Jesus Christ. It has been all about the 'praise of His glorious grace'! His glory, His story, for my good.

God is still writing my story. It hasn't gone the way I thought it would. There are chapters, I have not liked, like this most recent one. Yet, He has never asked my opinion. He hasn't allowed me to do a rewrite. He did not choose me to be the editor. However, when I am not in a sulky mood, I can look back over those past chapters and see His faithful, marvelous hand in my life, and see, though I don't always understand the plot, I know by faith I can't and wouldn't want to change what He has ordained. It has been all for my good.


The story continues, He has a purpose and a plan for me. Jesus knows what He is doing. It all points to Him.


If you would like to listen to Pastor Nate wonderful sermons, you can find them here.

Redeemed

Deep in the family video archives is one of Emily when she was small. After doing a goofy dance for the camera, she says, 'that's the en' of it!' It is a phrase we use from time to time, much to her dismay. So, today, we come to the 'en' of it.' The story of Ruth comes to a close, though the life and truth of it lives on.

In chapter 4 we find the wonderful climax of the story. A story of change, faith, obedience and now, redemption. The word redeem is used, in some form, 13 times in the first 14 verses. Obviously a word to pay attention too. In Hebrew the word means - redeem, to buy back, as a kinsman, claim, close relative, redeemer, rescue.

Boaz went through the proper channels in the redemption of Ruth. He goes to the place where city business is transacted, gathers godly men around him, waits for the relative in line to redeem Ruth. When he passes by, Boaz calls him to come sit with he and the other men. The fact of the matter is that Naomi was technically the one to be redeemed, yet she was to old to bear children and continue the family name. Ruth therefore was next in line for redemption, just like Boaz was next in line to be the redeemer. Long story short, the relative refused to buy the land when he realized he would have to take Ruth as well. He didn't want his relative's name to go on with his inheritance, he wanted his own name to be his families legacy.He refused his right. Boaz could freely redeem Ruth.

Now whether or not this happened I don't know, but can't you just see Ruth waiting, wringing her hands hoping the relative would decline? She had her heart set on Boaz. Maybe she stealth-fully followed Boaz, stayed hidden just within earshot to hear the proceedings from the city gate. Regardless, she was waiting, again, this time to hear the fate of the rest of her life, hoping to be redeemed by the one she loved, her man of valor.

Ruth was a pagan woman who was drawn toward the things of God through tragedy of sorrow and grief. She turned from the past and went forward. She learned a new way, grew in a new faith, had to do things she had never done before; listening, obeying, waiting all along the way. Waiting to be reclaimed, to be rescued, to be redeemed. A new life, a new hope, a new love.

We were sinners, unworthy, unlovely, yet Christ in His infinite, amazing grace, reclaimed us, rescued us, redeemed us, giving us a new life, a new hope, a new love. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redemption is a miraculous word, a word of completion, not of our own doing, but His alone, and 'that's the en' of it.'

Giveaway!

Here's a change of pace. I am having a giveaway at Turner Hill Tea. Click on the link below to play.

Giveaway!

Spread the word!

Listening, Obeying, Waiting

The defining moment. Boaz has been gracious and kind to Ruth, because 1- he was a man of worth and integrity, 2- he knew that Naomi's husband and sons were his kinsman, 3- he knew the levitical law. Naomi too, knew levitical law, which is why she sent Ruth to Boaz's field, and why she encouraged Ruth with the next step. Ruth was a faithful and obedient daughter in law, and so once again she listened to her mother in law, and did as she told her to do.


Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?  Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.  Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.  It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.”  She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”


This was not some Moab pagan action on Ruth's part as some would say. By going to lay at Boaz's feet was her way of saying, 'I know that you know, that I know you are my kinsman and therefore, by levitical law, it is your responsibility to marry me, and take care of me, so, I am here to let you know that  my calendar is open for a wedding.'


Boaz wakes with a start. Who wouldn't? In his startled state he asks who she is. I love her response. 'I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are my redeemer.' What a great proposal! The downside, till the next chapter, is that Boaz tells Ruth that there is a kinsman closer than he, who has the right and responsibility first. Can you just imagine how Ruth's heart would have sunk? "Why didn't Naomi tell me? Why did she let me get my hopes of for Boaz?" He tells her,


 “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.  Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.  Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.  Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning.”


Ruth has spent her new life listening, being obedient and waiting. How often I feel that is what I have been doing. Listening to my Redeemer, as I ask for wisdom and direction, doing my best to be faithful and obedient, and waiting. I feel I have been waiting a lot. Waiting is hard. It requires persistence and patience. Often I have felt the Lord's leading in something, things are positive and clear, I take that step of faith, and I end up waiting again. Of course than comes the second guessing, the wondering what I am doing wrong, longing for that one to come along side and give reason and balance, wishing the Lord used email. Yesterday was one of those days of hopes built, only to get the opportunity to wait once again. I know the Lord has 'plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give [me] a future and a hope' (Jeremiah 29.11), its just I get weary, fretful, panicked, though I don't want to be. So, I tread forward, hand on the plow, doing my best to keep the rows straight and even, trusting, believing, hoping.

Devotions with Ruth #4

'The very least and the very greatest sorrows that God ever suffers to befall thee, proceed from the depths of His unspeakable Love...whatever happens to you that causes you distress or pain, it will all help to fit you for a noble and blessed state.' John Tauler

I wish I had Ruth's personal journal. Okay, so she probably didn't keep one, but if she had, I would have liked to have read it. How amazing it would be to know her thoughts and heart as she was on this new journey: new wife, widow, leaves family for good to follow her mother in law, a new faith, a new country, providing for her mother in law, a new husband, and son. I would have liked to have known her thoughts on her grief, her struggle with all this newness, her getting to know Jehovah and trying to understand His ways. Did she come to the conclusion that all this was out of the 'depths of His unspeakable love' for her?

"January 1, 2007-  A new year, a good day. Matthew Allen, left for home, Dale and Matthew E went golfing, I took the girls for coffee, came home, Em read, Grace slept, Hannah and I took down the Christmas decorations. Calls from Julie and Uncle Tony. I called Lisa.  I am looking forward to this year, to doing better physically, (exercising) and striving forward spiritually. It was a good year with many blessings from the Lord. We shall watch this year, His hand move, in joy."  So was a journal entry from mine only a few months before we found out about Dale's cancer. "Did I see that as from 'the depths of His unspeakable love' for me?

I had some overnight company recently, as we were talking and catching up, I made mention that though I never would have chosen Dale's death to bring me to the place I am,  I had come realize that the things I have learned, my growth in the Lord, where He has brought me, would not have happened if Dale were still here. Believe you me, I often wish for Dale to be by my side. But God in His unspeakable love, in His infinite wisdom has chosen this path for me, knowing it would be how I would know Him better. God had to take Mahlon from Ruth in order to bring her to Himself. It hurts, its hard, yet His mercy and grace gives the strength, fills the void and heals the wound. We each have our hard issue that puts us in the place of trusting and growing in the Lord, whether a difficult marriage, a wayward child, chronic illness, the list goes on and on. These are hard things. We would wish them to be better, to not be, but if it is what will make you more like Jesus, is that not worth it? Do you see where you are, what you are dealing with as from the 'depths of His unspeakable love' to put you in a more noble and blessed state?  I pray so.

Refuge

'The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.' So said Boaz to Ruth, in chapter 2. Why? Naomi sent Ruth to glean in Boaz's field. She knew him to be a relative, a worthy and honorable man, and available. Naomi knew the law and tradition of her faith; she was matchmaking. I think Ruth knew she was matchmaking. Ruth had accepted the Hebrew faith, she had found refuge in Jehovah, and Ruth was being obedient to Naomi's leading.

When Boaz asked who it was that was gleaning in his field, and was told Ruth's name, he knew immediately who she was, and my guess is he  knew why she was there, and not just for the barley. Boaz knew of Ruth's faith, it was known throughout Bethlehem. He knew she had given up her pagan ways, her family and home to follow God, to take refuge in Him.

Refuge- n. 1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc. 2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety. 3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.


Is that not indeed what Ruth had done? Leaving Moab and its evils, and running into the arms of Jehovah? What a lovely picture that is!

This is my rock. Okay, technologically it is Haystack rock in Cannon Beach Oregon, but its mine. I lived 9 months in Cannon Beach while attending Bible school. I have often referred to that time as my seminary training. It was a hard, but good time, as the Lord did quite a bit of chiseling and honing in my life; teaching me to cling, to trust, to take refuge in Him, knowing how much I would need to do just that in the years to come.

So many times I would walk to Haystack, usually with tears in my eyes, just to see it, to make sure it was still standing. It was my constant reminder that God was there, unchanging, immovable, my Refuge. How many times had that rock been battered by the sea and weather, and yet remained steadfast? How often do I fail to cling, to trust, to seek refuge in my God, yet He remains unchanged, able to bring succor, always faithful?

To be known as one who has found refuge in her God, to have that reputation of peace and trusting, as Ruth. How grand would that be?

Devotions with Ruth #3

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation. Isaiah 12.2

Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? Mark 4.49

"Go on in all simplicity; do not be so anxious to win a quiet mind, and it will be all the quieter. Do not examine so closely into the progress of your soul. Do not crave so much to be perfect, but let your spiritual life be formed by your duties, and by the actions which are called forth by circumstances. Do not take overmuch thought for tomorrow. God, who has led you safely on so far, will lead you on to the end. Be altogether at rest in the loving, holy, confidence which you ought to have in His heavenly Providence." St. Francis De Sales

I have realized, that fear and haste are like pot holes along the journey, they only trip me up. They waste time and effort, as I am constantly having to pick myself up, tend to the self inflicted wounds of the fall, and then start again.

The story of Ruth never gives indication she was fearful, or hasty. She had a task to do, and she did it, not knowing the outcome. She trusted, rested in her God. That's what I want to do.