365 Reflections

Ruth 3:6–9 (ESV) So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Ruth is making a bold move here in relation to Boaz. She is literally asking him to marry her. It will be the decisive move of her life and change the trajectory of her entire being.  But it is a bit removed from what she was advised to do. Naomi had told her to do everything up to that moment where Ruth asks for Boaz to spread his garment corner ("wings") over her. In Naomi's original advice, this is how she left it: Ruth 3:4 (ESV) But when he lies down, observe t...

Psalm 53 is a powerful proof for the existence of God. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. (Psalm 53:1-3 ESV) Notice how he opens by saying the fool says there is no God and then immediately looks upon the evil and wickedness of mankind. Why? What does the evil of mankind have to do with the existence of God? Here's why. He looks upon the evil and acknowledges that is not right. In a stunning reversal of argument, he actually uses the evil of mankind to prove there is a God. Stunning because most people blame God for the evil selfish decisions of mankind against ourselves. Inwardly we are certain life is not as it should be and for this Psalmist at least, that sense within take...