Week 3 Day 1; Protection, Kindness, Understanding

So what does God's love, Protection, Kindness, and Understanding look like? That's what I asked myself when looking for a picture to post with today's blog. After searching, for what seemed like hours, I realized God painted this picture for us through Boaz. Duh!

Ruth 2:10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

Realize, Ruth didn't look for protection and refuge in the arms of Boaz (as amazing as that might be), yet she knew that God was her refuge! Boaz could offer her food, water, and protection under the direction of The Almighty God. Many times, we look first to people to save us when the true redemptive freedom and protection comes from our Heavenly Saviour.

These scriptures also point out the character, integrity, and love of Ruth. In vs 12, Boaz, who has just returned home, has already heard of Ruth. The things she has done for her mother-in-law WHILE mourning the death of her husband.

Psalm 91 (The Message)
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation.

How have you sought God as your refuge?
Does the integrity of Ruth stand out to you as much as it did to me? What did today's lesson say to you?