“The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:12).
THE Bible tells us that the believer is entitled to several rewards. We looked at three rewards last week in the church.
The three rewards are:
1. exceedingly great reward
2. sure reward and
3. full reward.
In Genesis 15:1, God told Abraham that He Himself was his exceedingly great reward. Yes, the Lord Himself is our reward, no ordinary reward but exceedingly great reward. The Bible also talks about sure reward. Proverbs 1:18 says: ‘A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.’ Psalm 58:11 says a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.’ When does it happen? The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, says the previous verse. Ruth 2:12 and 2 John 8 tell us that we have a full reward. In God’s scheme of things every deed of faith you do will be rewarded. Boaz tells Ruth that her full reward is actually a repayment for her work. In other words, you have a reward for your payment. Believer, have you made your payment yet?
Have you shown grace where grace is due? Mercy where mercy is due? Have you forgiven that person who taunts and badmouths you? Have you helped someone without hoping for anything in return?
When Ruth decided to go with Naomi, she was actually staring at a blank wall. Since Naomi’s future was dark, Ruth’s future was no better. Leaving behind one’s family and friends and her own land which had offered her security, food and comfort and going to a different nation which had a different culture and spoke a different language is unthinkable today. It would have been unimaginable even then. Think of the pressures Ruth might have faced from her family and friends. Everyone who loved her would have dissuaded her from going to Bethlehem. It was only 50 miles away (roughly 80 kilometres) from Moab, but in those days it took 7 to 10 days to cover the distance. They were two women walking in the day and resting in the night. Would it be worth it, did Ruth think? I don’t know but she kept going.
Hebrews 11:1 says: ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ Verse 2, ‘For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.’ Ruth obtained a good testimony because of her faith.
Every step you take in faith is a deed done for God. A payment made to God. The Bible says: ‘The Lord will repay your work.’ Don’t be afraid to take that step into the unknown in faith. You will receive a full reward from God. By leaving Moab and choosing Bethlehem, Ruth had taken refuge under the wings of the Lord God of Israel. If God would not honor this faith, what would He honor?
