I am so thankful we have the word of God to be our guide in life. Even more amazing is the fact the Lord Himself is our Guide. An old acronym for the word “Bible,” is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. This is certainly true! The word of God contains all we need as God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” 2 Peter 1:3. No matter what we are going through, we can find help and comfort in the pages of Scripture. And for the believer, the indwelling Holy Spirit guides us, comforts us and strengthens us each and every day. I like how Psalm 48:14 reminds us that our God is forever and ever and He will guide us, even to death. We don’t have to go through life alone. He is always with us and He delights when we speak to Him in prayer and await His answers too. He answers by His word. Snatches of Scripture come to our minds, or our daily devotion leads us to a passage we need to read or be reminded of. The words of a hymn, or Christian song, speak to us right where we are, and in the act of just sitting and reading His word, He brings us to a verse that speaks to our need. Again, I am thankful to have the word of God. May you find encouragement in the pages of Scripture today.
In the book of Ruth, found in the Old Testament, we have a beautiful story of redemption. God’s grace is seen in how Ruth, a Moabitess, marries Boaz, a Jew, and their union leads to King David and eventually to Jesus Christ.
In these uncertain days a particular verse from this book has been replaying in my mind for the past week or two. In chapter 3, verse 18, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, tells Ruth “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out…” NKJV. This is exactly what we are being called to do in these days and weeks of Covid-19. We are to sit still, to stay at home, to keep up with physical distancing so we can stop the spread of this deadly virus. It is our human nature to want to do something. We want to go out, we want to visit our loved ones, we want to interact. But we can’t at this time. We need to “sit still…until we know how the matter will turn out.” In this sitting still, we have more time to sit with our Lord Jesus Christ. We can be like Mary “who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word,” instead of being like Martha who “was distracted with much serving,” Luke 10:39-40. In our normal, busy lives, we often don’t make time to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His word. We are distracted by so many things. It is a blessing to have this extra time now to choose “that good part,” Luke 10:42, and to sit in His presence. Here we can be still and let His peace and love and grace wash over us and reassure us in this difficult time. We can sit, we can “be still, and know that [He is] God,” Psalm 46:10. Rest in Him, beloved. Know He has not forgotten you, or any of us, for a single second. Like Ruth, we can quiet our souls “under [Him] whose wings [we] have come for refuge,” Ruth 2:12.
These verses provide a brief glance of just a fraction of the glory our coming King will one day receive.
The disciples found it “just as He had said.” I wonder how many things we will one day discover were just as He had told us they would be. Of course, everything will be as He has told us/promised us. I am wondering if we will be surprised that it all is true or if we expect it because He is Truth.
This event took place on the Sunday beginning the week towards the cross at the end of it.
It is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
I have read this many times but as I typed it, the word “gentle” jumped out at me. Oh, how gentle our Lord Jesus Christ is. He is so good and kind, loving and gracious to us. And He is infinitely gentle. How beautifully He portrays this fruit of the Spirit.
Here are three other verses about His gentleness. May His gentleness comfort, strengthen and encourage you today.
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12.
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth“; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
“Gentle Shepherd come and lead us For we need you to help us find our way Gentle Shepherd come and feed us For we need your strength from day to day There’s no other we can turn to Who can help us face another day Gentle Shepherd come and lead us For we need to you to help us find our way There’s no other we can turn to Who can help us face another day Gentle Shepherd come and lead us For we need to you to help us find our way.” Copyright: Gaither Music Co.
Dishing Up Praise! 