And was it not so with Ruth, on her arrival at Bethlehem? God found her a valued friend in Boaz, a friend too just at the very time when she most needed one, in the hour of her deep distress. And so, it may be, He has dealt with some Reader of these pages. If you are poor, perhaps you could tell me how, when times were hard, and your store has dwindled away, and you knew not where to look for a supply, the Lord has sent you a friend in your distress. Or, in some sad and gloomy hour, when your heart has been ready to burst with inward grief, which has been long pent up within you, some kind christian friend has called upon you, into whose ear you made bold to pour all your troubles, and found unspeakable relief. Yes, so it is: God, who sometimes takes away our dear friends, when we fancy we cannot do without them, loves also to supply them when it is really for our good. Oh, let us in both cases feel submission and thankfulness, and be ready to say, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord!" 2. We may learn too, from this part of Ruth's history, what a happy thing it is to put ourselves under the shelter of God's care. Ruth, when she started from Moab with Naomi, had a sorrowful journey before her. And when they arrived at Bethlehem, melancholy indeed were their prospects. But God had good things in store for them. arranging everything for their coming He was happiness. When Ruth, went out to glean, we read that "her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz." It happened so; but who brought it about? who ordered it? who guided her steps to that part of the barley-field? It was God," under whose wings she had come to trust." And if we are anxious to get happily through this world, and to be kept in safety, let us not seek to walk alone; but let us place ourselves in God's hand, and keep close by His side. Let us pray, "Send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me," "Guide me, O thou, great Jehovah, What a difference, to be fighting one's way through this world, beset with dangers on every side, with no helper, no guide, no comforter; or to be walking peacefully and fearlessly, with God for our shelter-weak in ourselves, but strong in His great strength; full of ignorance, but taught by a heavenly Teacher; most unworthy and imperfect in ourselves, but covered with a Saviour's robe of righteousness! Happy, happy, those who are thus dwelling "in the secret place of the Most High, and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty;" who can say, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust." He will lead you "by the right way," till He brings you to that "city of habitation," which He has prepared for you. He will "cover your head" in all times of danger, till you ar |