Ruth is such a perfect example of following in times when we do not know the way ahead. She followed her mother-in-law into a land that she knew not, unto a people that she had never met; all while facing circumstances of uncertainty, not knowing where they would stay or what they would eat. She followed trusting in God to provide.

In Ruth 2:3, we find that she went out to find food, to help provide what she and Naomi needed to survive. “And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.” I had to pause and smile when reading this, it was her hap to find her way to exactly where God wanted her. Sometimes we say, it just so happened . . . No, it didn’t “just so happen”. God orchestrated it all perfectly according to His plan in the life of Ruth and He will do the same for us if we trust Him as she did.

Boaz saw in her what she didn’t even see in herself, he saw her faithfulness. In Ruth 2:12 Boaz expressed this in his prayer for her, “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” He even goes further to put action to his prayer by telling his reapers to leave, “handfuls of purpose” for her.

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” Ruth 2:16

“HANDFULS OF PURPOSE” Let that sink in, he purposefully provided extra for her. A true picture of God’s provision for those who are faithful to Him.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:17-20

He is ready to do exceedingly above all that we could ask or think. EXCEEDINGLY ABOVE !!!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Did you ever stop to think that this verse tells us that He will supply all our needs according to His riches “in glory”? Not according to His riches in earth, according to His riches “in glory”.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10

When we bring unto Him of what we have been given, obediently following Him by faith, He promises to pour out His blessing upon us !! HANDFULS OF PURPOSE !!!

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:7-11

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep d your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I don’t know about you, but I can think of numerous times that I “happened” to be in just the right place to receive God’s “handfuls of purpose” in my life. I also know that when I trust Him in the way, even when I can not see the way ahead, He is always faithful to provide !!!

Let’s pay attention to the “handfuls of purpose” as He provides today !!