Morning Devotional 090725 Serve One Another With Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

September 7, 2025

Ruth 2:7-16

7 She said, ‘Please let me glean so that I might gather up grain from among the bundles behind the harvesters.’ She arrived and has been on her feet from the morning until now, and has sat down for only a moment.” 8 Boaz said to Ruth, “Haven’t you understood, my daughter? Don’t go glean in another field; don’t go anywhere else. Instead, stay here with my young women. 9 Keep your eyes on the field that they are harvesting and go along after them. I’ve ordered the young men not to assault you. Whenever you are thirsty, go to the jugs and drink from what the young men have filled.” 10 Then she bowed down, face to the ground, and replied to him, “How is it that I’ve found favor in your eyes, that you notice me? I’m an immigrant.” 11 Boaz responded to her, “Everything that you did for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death has been reported fully to me: how you left behind your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people you hadn’t known beforehand. 12 May the LORD reward you for your deed. May you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you’ve come to seek refuge.” 13 She said, “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, sir, because you’ve comforted me and because you’ve spoken kindly to your female servant—even though I’m not one of your female servants.” 14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here, eat some of the bread, and dip your piece in the vinegar.” She sat alongside the harvesters, and he served roasted grain to her. She ate, was satisfied, and had leftovers. 15 Then she got up to glean. Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her glean between the bundles, and don’t humiliate her. 16 Also, pull out some from the bales for her and leave them behind for her to glean. And don’t scold her.”

Good Morning! Seeking refuge under the wings of God!

Ruth’s story is filled with examples of serving God. Ruth and Naomi return to Naomi’s homeland without a husband to support them. Ruth goes to glean leftovers from the field so that they will not starve. 

Boaz appears, accepts, and protects Ruth. Ruth says, “I’m an immigrant. How did you come to notice me?” Boaz replies, “I have been told your story, and I see that you have found favor from the Lord because you came to a new land to take care of your mother-in-law.”

God protects those who serve others in the name of the Lord. Ruth is recognized for her selfless care of Naomi. Because of her faithful service, Boaz offers Ruth the opportunity to gather food, and he shares from his own stores of grain so that she and Naomi would be well fed. 

Both Ruth and Boaz show us selfless acts of service. May we be as generous with those whose paths we cross.  

Loving Lord, you bless us abundantly! Help us throw away our skepticism when someone asks for help. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: God blesses those who show kindness to others. 

Serve others with love! Pastor Liz