May 6, 2010 The Seed of Blessing

I've always loved the story of Ruth and Boaz.  Besides being a great study of ancient Hebrew culture, it is a powerful vision of the redemptive power of love.  In Ruth's story, I see the law of increase at work, as words of blessing and acts of kindness are planted, growing into a harvest of favor and blessing.  Ruth's words of blessing and acts of kindness towards Naomi, her mother-in-law, brought a harvest of favor to her through Boaz.  Boaz's words of blessing and acts of kindness to his own workers, family, and Ruth, a foreigner, brought him a harvest of favor and blessing from God.  Together, these people who loved God, knew His goodness, and followed Him in word and deed, brought forth the Seed of blessing into the world.  Through them came the earthly lineage of Jesus.

Then we see Jesus, walking through Cana of Galilee.  He had already blessed them at the wedding, where He did his first miracle.  Again He blessed them with His words, "Go your way; your son lives."  Wherever He went, He sowed words of blessing and acts of kindness.  Whoever believed Him reaped God's favor.  Look how much increase had come down through Boaz and Ruth! 

We are part of this lineage of blessing-- through Christ we have been grafted in.  There has been no end to the increase of His Kingdom by His word and His power.  His word is planted in us, and by faith, we can also receive the blessing and give it.  As our character is established in Christ and our obedience is built by training and practice, we should see the same power of God's favor coming from the words of blessing and acts of kindness the Spirit prompts us to sow.  If we could only get a hold of how overly-abundant-beyond-all-we-can-think-or-ask God's favor is through Christ, there would be no lack of provision, no lack of the power of God.