Amazing Favor

Verse of the day: Ruth 2:10, So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

The kindness shown to her caused Ruth to question why a man such as Boaz would show such favor toward her. In response, Boaz says this in verse 11, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.” It was her diligence in caring for Naomi, and her choice to dwell amongst the Israelites and serve their God, that caused Boaz to show such kindness. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “What have I done that has caused God to show such favor toward me?” “What have I done that the God of the universe would give me such a precious gift as eternal life?” Regardless of who you are, I can answer that question for you. The answer is, “You have done nothing.” I can say that with certainty because I too have done nothing to deserve such an amazing gift in Christ. The fact of the matter is that each and every one of us who knows Jesus as Savior should be overwhelmed with gratitude for the wonderful act of love God has performed for us. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Let that sink in for a moment. “While we were yet sinners”. In other words, while we were yet God’s enemies, Jesus died for us. What did we do to deserve salvation? The Apostle Paul put it this way in Titus 3:4-7, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” If God has shown this kind of mercy and grace toward us, how much more should we show mercy and grace towards others? Do we freely serve and give to those who have done nothing to deserve it or do we keep a tally of what is done for us before we consider doing for someone else? In Luke 6:32-36 Jesus said, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” As God’s children, we must show the same kind of love and willingness to be a blessing to others as God has loved and blessed us. If we tell ourselves that the person we are serving does not deserve what we are doing for them, then we must stop and ask, as Ruth did, “Lord, why have I found favor in Your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a sinner saved by Your grace?” Then ask yourself, “What right do I have to treat this person any different than Jesus would treat them, since He has treated me, who deserves nothing more than eternal condemnation, better than I deserve?”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).