Hope Reflected

Encouragement and Hope from God's Word

Christian living Archive

Monday

23

October 2023

Persistence in prayer

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Rejoicing and patience are the fuel which keep us going and enable us "always to pray, and not to faint;" (Luke 18:1). Read more about persistence in prayer on hopereflected.com

Difference between vain repetition and being instant in prayer

It is important to clarify that Jesus’s instruction to “use not vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7) does not mean that we should be careful how often we pray or how often we pray about specific subjects.

In Luke 18:1, Jesus Himself instructed us that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”. Similarly, Paul instructed the church at Rome to continue “instant in prayer;” (Romans 12:12) and the Christians at Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Persistence and perseverance in prayer should be marked characteristics of the Christian’s life.

In Benson’s Commentary, the Reverend Joseph Benson suggested that we do wrong when we cease from prayer. “It frequently happens, that after men have prayed for any particular blessing, they desist, because God does not immediately grant them their petition. To show the evil of this, and to recommend importunity and perseverance in prayer… the present parable is introduced.”

Drawing parallels about prayer from the parable of the widow and the judge

The parable to which he refers is that in Luke 18:1-8, where after Jesus said “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1), He shared the parable of the widow and the judge.

In the parable, the widow presses the judge until he gives her justice. As the judge listened to the widow in her persistency, so God responds to us when we are persistent in prayer. This is why Jesus said “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”.

It pleases God when we exercise persistence in prayer

It pleases God when we exercise persistence in prayer. While God’s response may not always be what we want it to be, or in the timing that we think is right, we can be assured that He does answer prayer.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul instructed the Christians at Rome that they should be “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” (Romans 12:12). This is an interesting verse because it suggests before “continuing instant in prayer” that we first rejoice, and second be patient, almost as though these are precursors to persistence in prayer.

Fuel to pray

In MacLaren’s Expositions of Scripture, Alexander MacLaren drew a parallel between Romans 12:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 where Paul instructed the Christians at Thessalonica to “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Without holding these other attitudes, we cannot be persistent in prayer.

Rejoicing and patience are the fuel which keep us going and enable us “always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1).

“Rejoicing and patience are the fuel which keep us going and enable us
‘always to pray, and not to faint;’ (Luke 18:1).”

Hope Reflected

More than appeals

As Jesus said that we are not to use vain repetitions, our prayers should not be merely appeals to God, our prayers should be an attitude wherein we are referencing God in every thing we do.

C.S. Lewis wrote that “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking and sleeping. It does not change God – it changes me.”

Vain repetitions are many words with no meaning; persistence in prayer has power because it requires us to have great faith.

Originally published as “Persistence in prayer.” Independent Plus. August 4, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Thursday

19

October 2023

Vain Repetitions

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"Christians' prayers are measured by weight, and not by length. Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong." (Charles Spurgeon) | Read more about prayer on hopereflected.com

Jesus said, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7). What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to “use not vain repetitions”?

My initial thought was that vain repetitions meant we shouldn’t say the same things over and over in prayer, or pray about the same things each time we come to God, but upon further research I realized that the phrase “use not vain repetitions” means so much more.

Praise before petitions

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “God does not need us to pray for his information”, as Matthew 6 continues on to say that God “knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (v.8). Our prayers should bring praise to God before petitions.

Look more closely at that word vain: According to the Oxford Dictionary, vain is defined as “having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth”.

A secondary definition of the word Vain is “producing no result; useless”.

Pride has no place in prayer

Our prayers should not be about anything that we’re bringing to God, and if they are, then we’re doing it wrong. God doesn’t hear our prayers based on anything that we have or do. He is not impressed by how eloquent we speak or how well-articulated our words may be.

God hears our prayers because of His goodness to us.

With this in mind, I’d suggest that Jesus was saying we should beware lest our prayers are all talk and no heart.

Pride has no place in prayer.

Humility is a requirement for effective prayer

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote that “We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself.”

If we were going to God for His will rather than our own, how much more effectively would our prayers be answered? After praise, our petitions are to be just that – our pleas, appeals, and requests to God.

Peter, in his eponymous epistle, implored believers to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

If we want our prayers to be heard, we must approach God in humility.

Speaking a lot but saying nothing

According to Strong’s Concordance, “vain repetitions” is translated from the Greek word “battalogeó”, meaning to stammer, chatter, or to be long-winded.

“According to Strong’s Concordance, “vain repetitions” is translated
from the Greek word “battalogeó”,
meaning to stammer, chatter, or to be long-winded.”

Hope Reflected

Repetitions in prayer are often vain, rendering them useless.

Spurgeon put it like this: “Christians’ prayers are measured by weight, and not by length. Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong.”

The “casting all your care upon him” that Peter wrote about comes from the Greek word “epiripsantes”, which literally means “to throw” or “to cast”. Throwing and casting are not activities that take a long time; these actions are completed almost instantly.

We should take care that our prayers are not needlessly long but rather to the point.

God is not interested in hearing us stammer on, speaking a lot but saying nothing.

Originally published as “Vain repetitions.” Independent Plus. July 28, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Thursday

12

October 2023

Getting rich or laying up?

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:5) | Read more on hopereflected.com

Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” As I recently wrote, we spend most of our lives getting, but we aren’t always getting what’s right.

For some, their main goal in life is getting rich.

Please understand, there is nothing wrong with having money.

A misquote about money

The Bible talks a lot about money and our management of it (Deuteronomy 8:18, Proverbs 13:11, 21:20). Some Christians say that money is the root of all evil, and this is a misquote of 1 Timothy 6:10, which tells us that “the love of money is the root of all evil:”.

We are to keep our lives free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). There’s nothing wrong with having money, but loving money and desiring it more than we desire God is where we run into trouble. When getting rich is our goal, we will never be satisfied (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

The love of money leaves no room for what really matters

Not only will the goal of getting rich leave us discontent, it also takes our eyes off eternity. The love of money leaves no room for what really matters. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 23:4-5, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

It is a certainty that riches are uncertain.

Our time on earth is temporary, and our riches are, too.

Work with purpose will be rewarded

We should work hard and save to provide for our families, and we should work harder to train up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). A firm foundation for our family is much more than well-founded finances. The Bible tells us, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children,” (Proverbs 13:22).

When we work with purpose we will be rewarded, but when getting rich is our goal, we’ll end up with the opposite (Proverbs 28:19). There’s a difference between working hard to provide and working hard to get rich.

“Having money, even lots of it,
is not a bad thing.”

Hope Reflected

Proverbs 21:20 tells us that “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Much treasure is one of the marks of the wise. Having money, even lots of it, is not a bad thing. While we shouldn’t be consumed with getting rich, we should be mindful about our money and the work we do.

Proverbs 13:11 says that “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” The Bible says that those who are rich should “be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Is our goal getting rich or laying up?

Originally published as “Getting rich or laying up?” Independent Plus. July 21, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Friday

29

September 2023

What are you getting at?

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Verses from the book of Proverbs about thinking before we speak

Verses from Proverbs about thinking before you speak. Read more on hopereflected.com

Getting the last word

Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

It seems in life that we use all our getting for things other than wisdom and understanding.

In conversation, we’re more eager about getting the last word in than we are actually listening to what others have to say. We get caught up in getting everything off our chests and venting instead of waiting to react and respond. We’re taken up with getting, but sometimes what we’re getting isn’t good for us, and makes us into fools instead of wise people.  

Responding without listening

We’re all guilty of it; in the middle of a conversation, instead of actively listening, we tend to formulate our next statement.

Proverbs 14:3 says that “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”

When we respond without listening, we are being foolish. Matthew Henry wrote that “Where there is pride in the heart, and no wisdom in the head to suppress it, it commonly shows itself in the words…”. Someone once said that the problem with closed-minded people is that their mouths are always open. People who are closed-minded are often that way because they’re more interested in the sound of their own voice than they are in listening to what others have to say.

Getting everything off your chest

As Proverbs 18:2 tells us, “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” Wise people want to understand, and so they think before they speak. They’re more interested in getting understanding than they are getting the last word.

While a fool is more interested in getting everything off his chest, a wise person understands the value in purposefully processing before speaking. Wise people think before they speak. “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11).

Holding your peace

At one time or another, we’ve all been reminded to “sleep on it” or to “take a breath” before responding to a rude comment, a terse work email, or a backwards compliment. Sometimes, a fresh perspective helps us see that perhaps no response is best. Careful consideration in a conversation can save us from saying something we’ll regret.

I believe it was Mark Twain who wrote that “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.” In Proverbs 17:28 we read that “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Getting understanding > getting your point across

This is not to suggest that we should go around quietly and never speak up and speak out, however we ought to know when to speak and when to hold our tongues. While getting everything off our chests may be tempting, there is a time and place to speak and to be silent.

When it comes to our words, we should be more interested in getting understanding than getting our point across.

Originally published as “What are you getting at?” Independent Plus. July 14, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Tuesday

19

September 2023

Touch His garment

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth." (Mark 5:33) | read more of "Touch His garment" on hopereflected.com

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” (Mark 5:25-27)

Is Christ our first instinct or our last resort?

This woman, who had suffered many years of a condition that would have caused her to be ostracized from her community, had tried everything. Then she heard of Jesus. Is Christ our first instinct or our last resort?

We often say, “All we can do is pray,” when really the best we can do is pray! Matthew Henry wrote that “It is usual with people not to apply themselves to Christ, till they have tried in vain all other helpers, and find them, as certainly they will, physicians of no value. And he will be found a sure refuge, even to those who make him their last refuge.”

Christ puts honour upon faith

The woman’s faith certainly wasn’t perfect—who’s faith is?—but she knew enough that if she touched Jesus she would be whole. At the time, if someone in her condition touched anyone, that person would be made unclean, just like her. But not Jesus.

“For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” (Mark 5:28). She didn’t say this audibly, but to herself.

As Spurgeon said, “Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused.” The woman with the issue of blood believed that Christ could heal her if only she could touch the hem of His garment. Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary that “Christ puts honour upon faith, because faith gives honour to Christ.”

Like God provided the brazen serpent in the wilderness to heal all those who looked upon it, when we earnestly seek Christ, we can rest assured that He does indeed hear us, and He will honour our faith. First though, we have to come to Him.

Coming to Christ

The woman came to Christ, and she came in humility. There was nothing hid between her and Christ. “But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” (Mark 5:33)

“To be completely transparent with Christ, we cannot try to cover anything up, and we cannot pray how we think He wants us to pray. We’ve got to show Him everything that’s in our hearts, after all, He knows it already!”

Hope Reflected

The woman came in fearing and trembling, and fell down before Him, as there is no honesty with Christ without humility. The two go hand in hand. To be completely transparent with Christ, we cannot try to cover anything up, and we cannot pray how we think He wants us to pray. We’ve got to show Him everything that’s in our hearts, after all, He knows it already!

We can’t hide anything from Christ

Nothing is hidden from Him, so it really is of no use to try to hide things from Him. The Lord knows every heart and every thought (1 Chronicles 28:9).

“Do not despair, dear heart, but come to the Lord with all thy jagged wounds, black bruises, and running sores. He alone can heal, and He delights to do it. It is our Lord’s office to bind up the brokenhearted, and He is gloriously at home at it.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Originally published as “Touch his garment.” Independent Plus. July 7, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Saturday

16

September 2023

The brazen serpents in our lives

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

We have all been guilty at one time or another of making an idol of pride out of our piety. | Read more about idolatry on hopereflected.com

What comes to mind when you think of idols?

The first thing that comes to my mind is Exodus 32, where Aaron collects the golden earrings from the children of Israel and makes a golden calf for the children of Israel to worship.

Idols are mentioned many times throughout the Old Testament, and idolatry was such a problem that God included specific direction about it in the ten commandments when He said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:” (Exodus 20:3-5).

In the books of Kings and Chronicles, we read that certain kings “removed the high places”, “brake down the images”, and “cut down the groves” (2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 14). One king in particular, Hezekiah, even went so far as to “brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made:” (2 Kings 18:4). Upon a quick read-through, we may pass over this piece of information, but it is very important.

Wasn’t the brazen serpent a good thing?

Sure, we understand why Hezekiah would remove the high places, brake down the images, and cut down the groves: Because he was trying to eliminate worship of false idols in order to direct his people to worship the one true God.

So why would Hezekiah go so far as to “brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made”? After all, wasn’t the brazen serpent a good thing?

In Numbers 21, after the children of Israel were plagued by fiery serpents, the Lord instructed Moses to make a brass serpent and put it on a pole, so if anyone had been bitten by a snake, all they had to do was look at or think about the brass serpent, and they’d be healed (Numbers 21:6-9).

The brazen serpent was a symbol of salvation, a literal cure for poisonous snake bites, so why would Hezekiah want to destroy it?

The answer is quite simple: The children of Israel had taken something good, something symbolic of salvation, and made an idol out of it. God gives pretty specific instructions when it comes to idolatry. Any thing that takes the place of God in our lives is wrong.

Perhaps we think we don’t have any idols in our lives, and that right there—pride—is an idol in itself!

Hope Reflected

What are the brazen serpents in our lives?

What are the brazen serpents in our lives? Perhaps we think we don’t have any idols in our lives, and that right there—pride—is an idol in itself! 

In his letter to the Christians at Colosse, Paul wrote that we should have nothing to do with desires that direct our minds away from what’s right (love of money and self-centeredness are two things that come to mind) (Colossians 3:5).

We have all been guilty at one time or another of making an idol of pride out of our piety. Even good things can become idols if we let them take the place of God.

Originally published as “The brazen serpents in our lives.” Independent Plus. June 30, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Friday

15

September 2023

Hezekiah: A reformer who made a difference

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"A wise man will hear, and will increase in learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:" (Proverbs 1:5) | Read more about the life of Hezekiah on hopereflected.com

A fascinating history

The books of first and second Kings in the Bible contain fascinating history. While some people find Biblical history boring, and loathe reading genealogies and accounts of kings past, these passages are included in the Bible for a reason. As I’ve written before, there are always lessons that can be learned from each detail that’s included in Scripture.

In 2 Kings 18, we read about Hezekiah, the 13th king of Judah. Hezekiah stands out as a man who learned from the mistakes of others, who was all in for God, and who was not a product of his circumstances.

Learning from the mistakes of others

Hezekiah learned from the mistakes of others, including his own father. He didn’t need to make the same mistakes himself; God gave him wisdom to see the dreadful results of rejecting God and His Word. As a result, Hezekiah “removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made:” (2 Kings 18:4).

Hezekiah “trusted in the LORD God of Israel;” (v. 5). He learned by looking at the poor choices others had made, and deciding not to make those choices himself. What’s the old saying, “A wise man learns from the mistakes of others but a fool learns by his own mistakes.” Hezekiah was no fool.

There are several Proverbs about instruction and learning from our parents, and in this case, Hezekiah learned what not to do. Although his father Ahaz was foolish, arrogant, and unfair, Hezekiah was wise, ready to learn, and just. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” (Proverbs 1:5).

How Hezekiah made an impact

Hezekiah made an impact because he was all in for God. He didn’t just do things halfway, and he didn’t compromise. “He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD.” (2 Kings 18:3). While other kings before Hezekiah did what was right, we read several times that they “removed not the high places”. Where other kings had fallen short, Hezekiah went the distance. I’d liken it to present-day leaders who are strong in certain areas, but wet noodles when it comes to important decisions on such topics as abortion, justice, and education.

Hezekiah was a reformer in every way, and He did remove the high places. He “clave to the LORD” (v. 6) and as a result, God was with him and prospered him.

Hezekiah was not a product of his circumstances

Hezekiah reigned bravely, ruled justly, and was instrumental in restoring the temple.

Hope Reflected

Hezekiah was not a product of his circumstances. His dad was the wicked king Ahaz (also known as Jehoahaz) who we read was one of the most wicked and worst kings in history (2 Kings 16). Hezekiah came to rule at a time when Israel was pretty messed up. Instead of following what others around him were doing, Hezekiah stood up. “…and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.” (2 Kings 18:7).

Wrong was considered right, right was considered wrong, and people were doing whatever they wanted (sound familiar?). Unlike his father, Hezekiah didn’t compromise and go with the flow. He reigned bravely, ruled justly, and was instrumental in restoring the temple.

Like Hezekiah, we too can make a difference when we learn from others, stand up for the truth, and rise above unfavourable circumstances.

Originally published as “Making a difference.” Independent Plus. June 23, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Friday

25

August 2023

Exceeding Abundantly

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

When Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha expected Jesus to intervene.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..." (Ephesians 3:20) | Read more on hopereflected.com

“Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” (John 11:3).

Mary and Martha asked Jesus to come to them. When we pray, we ought to pray specifically and expectantly. This kind of expectation in prayer can only come through relationship with Christ. Mary and Martha both had great reverence for Jesus, and a close relationship with Him. They wanted to share with him about their brother being sick and as a result they eagerly sent for Jesus to come to them. Because of their closeness to Christ, because they knew He cared for them, Mary and Martha longed to cast their cares on Him. They expected Him to move.

Thank God, His logic is much different than ours.

Like us, Mary and Martha were human, and therefore didn’t have a complete understanding of God’s timetable. They tried to expedite Jesus coming to them by sending news of their sick brother, thinking that Jesus would come and heal him, but they didn’t understand that Jesus had a greater plan than healing their brother (v. 4). Thank God, His logic is much different than ours. While our understanding is finite; His is infinite. His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). While Mary and Martha thought Jesus would heal their brother, He had greater plans of raising their brother from the dead. Jesus purposefully delayed His arrival, Mary and Martha had no choice but to wait. While we’re waiting, God is working.

When we don’t know how to pray

When word came that Jesus was near, we read how Mary and Martha expressed themselves. “Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.” (v. 20). Martha came to meet Jesus; she was ready again to earnestly enquire of Him. Mary, on the other hand, stayed in the house (probably because she was so consumed with grief). Martha had a lot to say, Mary didn’t, and Jesus was moved by both (v. 33). Even when we don’t know how to pray, and even when we cannot find the words, God hears our cries, and He knows every tear (Psalm 56:8). Mary and Martha both showed evidence of their faith in Christ, albeit in different ways. They both believed in Christ’s power.

“Even our trials are designed to bring glory to God.”

Hope Reflected

Mary and Martha were looking for Lazarus to be healed, and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. God always does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), even in a literal life or death situation like that of Lazarus! As Matthew Henry wrote, “The afflictions of the saints are designed for the glory of God, that he may have opportunity of showing them favour; for the sweetest mercies, and the most effecting, are those which are occasioned by trouble.” What an encouragement to know that even our trials are designed to bring glory to God!

Originally published as “Exceeding abundantly.” Independent Plus. June 16, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Thursday

17

August 2023

Careful cultivation

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

We learn how to be content through careful cultivation

Careful cultivation produces contentment. Read more about learning how to be content on hopereflected.com

“Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.” (Proverbs 13:23)

There’s an old saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” A rebuttal to this common phrase is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s greenest where you water it. We neglect to care for our own lawn when we are focused on someone else’s. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and I would suggest that comparison is also the thief of contentment.

Tillage requires hard work

In Proverbs 13:23, we read that “Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.” Tillage, earth that’s cultivated for the first time, requires hard work if it’s done by hand (and at the time this Proverb was written, tilling ground would have been a manual process). To gather “much food” from the garden requires equal parts diligence and hard work.

While hard work is, well, hard, it produces contentment and as a result, the returns are often great. To work hard requires as much strength of character as strength of body. Like the poor described in Proverbs 13:23, you may not have much, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make the best of what you do have. On the other hand, you may have everything but end up in ruin because you don’t make the best of what you have. Rather than be content, conceit often destroys our judgment and we end up living beyond our means.

Do the best with what you have

Don’t be deceived into thinking that just because you don’t have a lot that it doesn’t matter. On the contrary, the smallest gifts can be of great value when stewarded properly! Alexander MacLaren wrote in Expositions of Holy Scripture that “responsibility does not diminish with the size of the gifts, but that there is as great responsibility for the use of the smallest as for the use of the largest…”.

“…responsibility does not diminish with the size of gifts,
but that there is as great responsibility
for the use of the smallest as for the use of the largest…”

Alexander MacLaren

The stay-at-home mom who gives of herself in raising a household of children and not getting paid at all can be just as content and have just as much impact—if not more—than the person running a large organization and earning millions. Careful cultivation produces contentment, while carelessness in any capacity produces discontentment. The difference between contentment and discontentment is stewardship of what one has been given. Many a great man has been destroyed for want of judgment.

Being a good steward of what God has given us

How are we tilling the ground that we’ve been given? Whether we start with a little or a lot, Jesus said that “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath.” (Matthew 25:29). Whether our plot of land is small or great, the faithfulness with which we steward it today will determine the impact tomorrow.

“Much may be made of slender gifts, small resources, and limited opportunities if carefully cultivated, as they should be, and as their very slenderness should stimulate their being.” (Alexander MacLaren)

Originally published as “Careful cultivation.” Independent Plus. June 9, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Wednesday

10

May 2023

An unlikely mother

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27) | Read more about Ruth and "An unlikely mom" on hopereflected.com

When we think of mothers, Ruth isn’t usually the first mom who comes to mind.

We don’t know much about Ruth’s history previous to her being married to one of Naomi’s sons, but we do know that Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, had a great influence in Ruth’s life. Naomi’s influence was so great that when Ruth’s husband died, rather than return to her own family, Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law. 

Ruth was diligent, hard-working, and not afraid to get her hands dirty.

When describing the virtuous woman, Proverbs 31:13 says that “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” (Ruth 2:2). Because of the Levitical law, ever year farmers in Israel left some of the grain in their fields for the poor to gather. Ruth took part in this program, to provide food for herself and Naomi.

Ruth also demonstrated a spirit of selflessness.

Ruth dedicated her life to serving her mother-in-law, Naomi. “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27). Ruth looked after her household and put the needs of another before her own. We read in Ruth’s history that “she happened on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz,” (Ruth 2:3). Ruth’s coming to Boaz’s field wasn’t something that happened by chance; it was God who guided her there. Because of Ruth’s willingness to work and to live a life of service to someone else, God worked in her life and blessed her in a great way.

Further, Ruth demonstrated wisdom.

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Proverbs 31:26). In Ruth 2:7, we read that Ruth asked permission to glean and gather in the fields. She said, “I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves:” (Ruth 2:7). As part of the Levitical law, Ruth didn’t have to ask permission to glean and gather, but out of respect, she did.

Ruth cared about a job well done.

Ruth provides an example of a woman who not only worked hard, but cared about a job well done. “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” (Proverbs 31:18). Ruth didn’t know that she was being watched as she gleaned and gathered, but the quality of her work was observed by the reapers’ supervisor, and reported to Boaz, the owner of the field. He was impressed. Because Ruth cared about the quality of her work, God used her to make an impression on the people around her. We never know who’s watching how we live and how we work.

Ruth certainly wasn’t born with all the advantages in life. We don’t know who her mother was, but we do know that her mother-in-law had an incredible influence in her life, and was instrumental in the choices that led to Ruth being included as part of Jesus’s genealogy.

Originally published as “An unlikely mother.” Independent Plus. May 5, 2022: 5. Print. Web.

Newer Entries →
← Older Entries

Hope Reflected on Facebook

Hope Reflected

Recent Posts

Recent Tweets

Could not authenticate you.

Archives

Topics

best Bible quotes best Bible verses best quotes bible Bible quotes bible verses Biblical history Christian living courage diy easter encouragement encouraging Bible verses faith garden gardening God's faithfulness God's strength God's Word hope Hope's How-To hope reflected hope she wrote inspiration isaiah joy love outdoor living patience peace plants prayer proverbs psalm psalms qotd quote of the day quotes strength trust trust God truth verses of encouragement wednesday wisdom wisdom