“10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:10-17 NKJV
Father God,
Another wonderful part of the family tree of Joseph that Jesus was born into. Although Joseph was not Jesus actual father, the family he came to was not random. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Placed where You foresaw.
In the book of Ruth and read how Jesus lineage passed from Perez down to Boaz. (Perez the elder twin of Judah by his daughter in law, Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30). Boaz chose Ruth, a foreigner, a widow. nott the first choice for a wealthy landowner? But Ruth had chosen to stick with Naomi and Naomi’s God, You, over her Moabite Gods. You saw her heart! (1 Samuel 16:7) Help us not to judge the people we meet.
Father sometimes we find ourselves in situations we would not want to be in. Like Ruth and Naomi, widowed. Or having to move. Having to rely on others for help or having to economise. Naomi trusted You. Ruth learned, through her, You could be trusted and they became part of Your divine plan.
You blessed Ruth and Boaz with a son. You blessed Mary with a Son and we were all blessed. Your plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. So in Jesus we can trust You too.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. There daily needs and those needs particular to them.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
That the truth about what happened during Covid might be learned from.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change the whole situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For the NHS and in particular the maternity units, the midwives, new mothers and babies.
For the courts: High Court, the Crown Court, Magistrates Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Tribunal Courts. For all those affected by crime, fraud and violence.
For ourselves, that we may see the wonder of Your purposes. And Your blessings in our day.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship 11th December 2023
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
I will find a way to the place of praise
Oh I’ll find a way . .
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Lyrics: Matt and Beth Redman