Under the wings of God...

A dear friend of mine recently gave me a copy of John Piper's new book, A Sweet and Bitter Providence. At first, with so many other things to read for graduate school, I only read a page or two each night at bedtime. However, this weekend it has become something I haven't been able to put down!

At dinner with a fellow unmarried woman the other night, we were both reflecting on how abundant God's provision has been in both of our lives, particulary this past year. Maybe as we age, the needs of life become greater, especially as we encounter illness, financial hardships, car troubles, and all the things that come with greater adult independence. When I was in my early twenties, I remember wanting to be married because of all the romantic idealism that surrounded it. In recent years, the desire becomes more spiritually driven as I understand God's design for marriage. But it also becomes more practical in a sense too. The desire to be protected and provided for, to be given daily guidance in making decisions, to be granted relief when an unexpected financial burden comes, to receive sound wisdom in how to deal with all the demands on my time. These are all things that a husband (Lord-willing if I married a godly man) would be able to provide in my life. As my friend and I were discussing the mutual circumstances of our past year, we both were rejoicing in how Christ really has been that Husband for us, granting a multitude of blessings which have met the needs and demands that have been placed upon us as single women. He has used the means of our church family, our precious friends, and our physical families to provide for us in ways that typically a husband would.

In reflecting on those things, I was moved to read this book by Piper all the more, as he outlines the book of Ruth and God's careful and exact providence displayed in her life. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far:

Speaking of Naomi..."She knows there is a God. She knows He is sovereign and rules over the national and personal affairs of men. And she knows that God has dealt bitterly with her. Her life is tragic. What she does not see with the eyes of her heart is that in all her bitter experiences, God is plotting for her glory. This is true of all God's children. In the darkest of our times, God is plotting for our glory. If we would believe this and remember it, we would not be as blind as Naomi was when God began to reveal His grace."

"There is no doubt that the writer wants us to admire and imitate Ruth. She takes initiative to care for her destitute mother-in-law. She is humble and meek and does not put herself forward presumptuously. And she works hard from sunup to sundown. Initiative. Lowliness. Industry. Worthy traits."

"Notice verse 3 (chapter 2): 'So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz...' She just happened to come? You don't have to make your theology of providence explicit in every line. Sometimes it's good to leave something ambiguous to give your reader a chance to fill in the blank if he has caught on. The answer can be given later. It will be. In fact, Naomi, with her grand theology of God's soveriegnty, is the one who will give the answer. She praises the Lord 'whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!' (2:20). The answer is God - the merciful providence of God - guiding Ruth as she gleans. Ruth happened to come to Boaz's field because God is gracious and sovereign even when He is silent."

"Why would God show mercy to Ruth? Because she has sought refuge under His wings. She has esteemed God's protection superior to all others. She has set her heart on God for hope and joy. And when a person does that, God's honor - not the value of our work - is at stake, and He will be merciful. If you plead God's value as the source of your hope instead of pleading your value as the reason for God's blessing, then His unwavering commitment to His own glory engages all His heart for your protection and joy...So now back to Ruth's question in verse 10: 'Why have I found favor?' The answer is that she has taken refuge under the wings of God and that this has given her the freedom and the desire to leave home and love Naomi. She has not earned mercy from God or Boaz. She is not their employee. They are not paying her wages for her work. On the contrary, she has honored them by admitting her need for their work and by taking refuge in their generosity."

"With Ruth and Naomi, let us fall on our faces, bow before the Lord, confess our unworthiness, take refuge under the wings of God, and be astonished at His grace!"

Amen.