Pastor Brian Taylor

This has been called one of the loveliest stories in Hebrew history. We must remember that this was also the dark ages of Hebrew history. In Judges 17:6 it says “everyone did what was right in his own eyes”. Therefore, it would be dangerous for two women with no protection to be travelling to such a place. But there was at least one man living there who was good and honourable. He did what was right in the eyes of the law of Moses – his name was Boaz. However, he is not the only hero in this story and it is not difficult to realize who is the real hero.

It is the Christian privilege that they are called the children of God. There is something in a name. The custom of the old testament was to name children with a great name, a name that had a great story which belonged to an earlier hero. The name gave him or her a standard to live up to, an inspiration for living. No-one would usually use a weak or insipid name for their child – that in itself could be so discouraging. So the Christian has the privilege of being called the children of God.

The living God is not like us, that is all the more reason to seek Him. Tozer said: “what we think when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” What are we thinking? Isaiah 66:2: “But on this one will I look: On him who is of a poor and contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word.” He is speaking of reverence. That is something I need to know. Listen to Pastor Dave’s message again. So many good lessons when we are in a valley with a shadow.

Partiality based on appearances is wrong, it is not for the church. The Lord Jesus in John 7:24 began to speak to the multitude about John the Baptist: “What did you go out to see?” He was telling them not to judge by the way things look.

We see God’s self-control at the cross, where our lord Jesus died for us. Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us.”

Be still and know that I am God”. He knows what is happening, He knows what’s around the next corner. We must learn to trust him more, worry less and rush less. God is our refuge.

The series by Pastor Dave on “Developing Contentment” has told us, obviously, that it is an inside job and that contentment is not automatic. Being an inside job seems to put the emphasis on us, and that is where we might want to stop. If it depends on me it just will not happen. It is hard to be content. But there is a lot of incentive to develop contentment, and we have help. Paul says ‘It is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure’, in Philippians 2:13. So let us pay attention.