Shattered Pride

Ruth 2:¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, "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 ate all she wanted and had some left over. ¹⁵ As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. ¹⁶ Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her."

God opposes the proud and exalts the humble. Ruth exhibited her humility by her whole-hearted trust in God. Why else would she leave the community she grew up in to take care of her mother-in-law? Why else would she live as a second-class citizen in a foreign land?

Ruth's humility and faith allowed her to see who she was in relation to the Almighty. Seemingly difficulty circumstances were a blessing in disguise because they shattered her pride. Her pride in being secure as a married woman who was provided for. Her newfound humility allowed her to see herself as a grain of sand compared to the vastness of the Almighty, and He rewarded her with a divine appointment.

Boaz, who took a liking to Ruth, provided her with food, protection and a source of income. In the same way, when we trust God, and we see how tiny we are compared to Him, He will protect and provide for us.

Do you have areas of pride in your life? Are you proud and overly reliant on your abilities, wealth and achievements? Do you ascribe these to God? Are you too proud to admit your wrong? Today, allow God to shatter your pride and trust that He will exalt you.

Photo: "Let's Go!" by Calca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75502371@N00/124119876/)