Day 125

Judges 21:1–Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25

TODAY, WE COMPLETED the book of Judges and began the book of Ruth —and it couldn’t come at a better time. After witnessing the chaotic extremes of rebellion and the challenging leadership of the judges at critical moments in the development of the Israelites, Ruth comes like a refreshing breeze and begins transitioning us into the next season for God’s people.

Ruth is the story of three people who chose to do the right thing despite hard and bitter circumstances. This book shows us that when people of character make correct decisions, God’s faithfulness is ever present. It also gives us a beautiful portrait of valiant women of character. Because of Ruth’s and Naomi’s faithfulness, King David would be born —and through the line of David, Jesus would come.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus visited the Samaritan people and revealed again how counterintuitively God’s Kingdom operates.

“You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests,’” Jesus said. “And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest” (John 4:37-38).

In our culture, we plant or invest or work to reap the benefit of our labor. In God’s Kingdom, things are a little different. Sometimes, we plant seeds of faith in someone’s life but will never see the outcome. Later, someone else may reap the harvest of what we’ve planted. At other times, we will reap the harvest that someone else planted. We’re all in this together. Or in Jesus’ words, “The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:36).

Understand that you are planting seeds wherever you go and in whatever you do today. And those seeds will yield a harvest, whether you ever see it or not. But also remember that when you are there to witness the rebirth of a soul, someone else planted the seeds you are harvesting. Every piece of it matters —whether we plant or harvest. And there is great joy in laboring for the Kingdom.

WORSHIP:

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.