Thanksgiving week dawns and through a study from the book of Ruth I take a new look at giving thanks.
“At mealtime Boaz said to Ruth, Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar. When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She at all she wanted and had some left over.” Ruth 2:14
Ruth, a foreigner in Israel and from Moab a country considered enemies by the Israelites, is invited by one of the prominent men in Bethlehem to join in a meal.
“David asked, “Is there any one left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?…Mephibosheth!…Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land…and you will always eat at the king’s table…and he was crippled in both feet.” excerpts from 2 Samuel 9
Mephibosheth, one crippled in both feet, is invited to eat at the king’s table based on the favor the king has for another.
“Only when the forces of power and kindness come together will we be in a position to eat from the king’s table.” 1
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear…Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” Revelation 19:6b-9
“Though we are unworthy, we are invited to God’s table because of Christ’s kindness and authority. …Like Mephibosheth, we are crippled in both feet, like Ruth, we bear the stain of Moab. …today is the day to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness.” 2
Red and blue make purple, red and orange make yellow,
How is it red of my sin and red of Christ’s blood
Turns my spirit garments white?
Only clothed in Christ’s righteousness
Fine linen, clean and bright,
God’s power and kindness come together
At the King’s table invites forever to dine
Most of us gather around the table at my mother’s, Precious husband and Challenge son spend the day at the fire station, and we give thanks. I close my eyes and imagine us all, one day, seated at the King’s table because of the kindness and authority of the Lamb. I treasure these thoughts in my heart and with a truly grateful heart I say…
May your Thanksgiving be blessed and may you accept the invitation to sit at the King’s table for all eternity.
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1 Ruth, Kelly Minter, P. 76
2 Ruth, Kelly Minter, P.78
2 comments:
Blessings to you, Nancy, as you embark on this new Advent season. Might he reward your anticipation with the object of your hope. Love to you.
Just imagine--the lame and crippled, blind and broken hearted, all healed and gathered around his table. It's just awesome to think about.
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