Evening, October 25
Go To Morning Reading
“She gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light
on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred
of Elimelech.”
Ruth 2:3
Her hap was . Yes, it seemed nothing but an accident, but how divinely was it
overruled! Ruth had gone forth with her mother’s blessing, under the care of her mother’s God, to humble but honourable toil, and the providence of God was
guiding her every step. Little did she know that amid the sheaves
she would find a husband, that he should make her the joint owner
of all those broad acres, and that she a poor foreigner should become
one of the progenitors of the great Messiah. God is very good to those
who trust in him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings.
Little do we know what may happen to us to-morrow, but this sweet
fact may cheer us, that no good thing shall be withheld. Chance is
banished from the faith of Christians, for they see the hand of God
in everything. The trivial events of today or to-morrow may involve
consequences of the highest importance. O Lord, deal as graciously
with thy servants as thou didst with Ruth.
How blessed would it be, if, in wandering in the field of meditation
tonight, our hap should be to light upon the place where our next
Kinsman will reveal himself to us! O Spirit of God, guide us to him.
We would sooner glean in his field than bear away the whole harvest
from any other. O for the footsteps of his flock, which may conduct
us to the green pastures where he dwells! This is a weary world when
Jesus is away—we could better do without sun and moon than without him—but how divinely fair all things become in the glory of his presence!
Our souls know the virtue which dwells in Jesus, and can never be
content without him. We will wait in prayer this night until our hap
shall be to light on a part of the field belonging to Jesus wherein
he will manifest himself to us.