Should be lived with purpose.
“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.‘” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV
All through the Bible we find the plans and purposes of God. This morning, I was caught up in the story of Ruth. A story with a purpose.
Ruth was a young widow who left her home country and traveled with her mother-in-law, who was also widowed, back to Israel. Naomi, the mother-in-law, returned broken in spirit. She had nothing; Ruth told her she would go to the fields and gather the grain that was left behind on the ground after the harvesters had gone through. That was the plan.
The owner of the field, Boaz, came to see how his workers were doing and noticed this young woman. When he asked who she was, he learned her story and respected how she was taking care of Naomi. He told her to continue to come to his fields and gather grain. Then Boaz gave this instruction to his foreman.
“And when she got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And let fall some handfuls for her on purpose and let them lie there for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” Ruth 2:15-16 AMPC
The story ends with Boaz and Ruth marrying and having a son named Obed.
“And her neighbor women gave him a name, saying, A son is born to Naomi. They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ].” Ruth 4:7 AMPC
God had a purpose for Ruth; a kind and gentle young woman became the mother of the grandfather of David, who then became king and was called a man whose heart was for God.
Life had dealt Ruth a hard hand. Widowed at a young age, an immigrant, the companion to an older woman with no means of support.
“ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 AMPC
Just a couple of final thoughts on all things working together for good. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers that was not good. But God worked it for good when Joseph was elevated to pharaoh’s second in command, and he saved his family from starvation during a famine.
“Then Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am not God! I have no right to punish you. 20 It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened.” Genesis 50:19-20 ERV
Don’t be afraid to follow God. Live life with purpose, His purpose, because His plan for us is good!