Characteristic #3 of REAL Worshippers Motivated by Love is Blessing

Scripture: Ruth 4:11-12

All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.  “Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Insights: The third characteristic of a real worshipper motivated by love is blessing.  What I mean by that sentence is we are blessed by the Lord when we live a life of integrity and commitment.  Notice in the passage today the elders of the town dispense three blessings on Boaz.  Firstly, they blessed him with the phrase about Ruth bearing him children like Rachel and Leah.  You will recall these two ladies are the mothers of the twelve sons of Jacob and they become the twelve tribes of Israel.  In essence these men have blessed him with a mighty nation.  Secondly, they bless him with wealth and fame.  Thirdly, they bless him with a descendent of whom would have power just as Judah was a source of power for Perez.  So, through these elders God was promising Boaz many children, wealth and fame and ultimately power through his great grandson David who would be the king through whom the Messiah would eventually come into the world.  Beloved, when we read a passage like this it ought to make us thankful for the Lord with whom we serve.  The old hymn Count Your Many Blessings ought to resinate in our hearts and in our worship.  It also ought to spur us on to seek the Lord’s favor and reap even further blessings.  I think much of the churches problem in America is a lack of gratitude to the Lord for His blessings and a failure to request more blessings because of our self-sufficient attitude.  Let me challenge you, especially as we approach Christmas day on Friday, to count your blessings and name them one by one.  Let me also encourage you to seek the Lord with a whole heart and ask for His favor to be on your life with rich blessings.  May your life resemble that of Boaz and have a heritage follow behind you, to receive great wealth and fame, and to be a person of influence to those around you.  May God bless you in this light as you draw closer and more dependent on Him.

Questions:

1. When was the last time you counted your blessings and named them one by one?

2. Do you regularly pray for the Lord to bless you with His favor?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the blessings You have given me in the past.  I pray also for Your hand of favor to be on my life now and bless me with Your great provision and grace. Amen.