The Lord repay you for what you have done. And a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. (Ruth 2:12)

As we continue with the story of Ruth (see Day 1), we now hear Boaz speaking to Ruth as she is working in his field. Ruth has returned from a hopeless situation in Moab back to a barley harvest in Bethlehem. In order to provide for her motherin-law (Naomi) and herself, Ruth “happened to come” to the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s husband (Ruth 2:3).

Boaz has heard about Ruth’s loyal service to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and he wants the Lord to “repay” her. He speaks of the Lord as the One “under whose wings you [Ruth] have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). This is a beautiful picture of what it means to trust in the Lord, and it is just as true for us today as it was for Ruth.

Those who trust in Christ for salvation find refuge under God’s wings. This reality should bring great comfort, regardless of what’s going on in your life or what the world is bringing against you. There is no need for anxiety or fear under the wings of the God of the universe. He is your protector and provider, your refuge and strength. Through Christ, you can make the prayer of Psalm 57:1 your own prayer to God:

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”

As you pray this prayer for yourself, consider also praying it on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world. In the midst of trials and danger, these brothers and sisters need to know that God is their refuge. Regardless of whether they are rescued from temporal harm, they are safe from the storm of God’s eternal judgment because of Christ’s death on the cross.

PRAYING IN LIGHT OF TODAY’S PASSAGE

Ask the Lord to sustain you as you find refuge under His wings, and pray that He would sustain Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.