Daily Devotion 08/30/18
Ruth 2:21-22 Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’”
22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.”
Was it pre-determined that Ruth and Boaz would meet? Did they not have a choice? No, they did. God knows everything that is going to happen, but he allows us to have free will and make our own choices. He simply works through those choices to bring about his plan for our lives. Ruth made the choice to go into Boaz’s field. Boaz made a choice to be kind to Ruth. The same is true for our lives. Sometimes we wrestle with the thought, “What if my choice messed up God’s plan? What if he really meant for me to do this, or be with that person, or have that job.” That’s not how God works. He has given us free will and continues to be with us and provide for us through every single one of our decisions. In everything we do, he is guiding and leading us. Even as we make our own choices. Since God hasn’t pre-determined our lives, what does that mean for us today? That means that we want to make God-pleasing choices. What will make him happy? How can I get closer to him? How will this choice affect my relationship with him? Then we rest knowing that God will work everything out for the good of those who love him. Thanks be to Jesus!
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for giving me the gift of free will. Thank you for allowing me to make decisions and not be a robot. Thank you also for working behind the scenes and through my choices and still accomplish your plan for my life. Help me today and always to make God-pleasing decisions. Amen.