WEEK TWO | DAY FOUR
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” —Psalm 84:11 (KJV)
God’s revelation of grace is a gift that grows and gains momentum over time. Thinking of those who walk closely with God, we recall the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was a type of Christ, representing the Kinsman-Redeemer—the relative who pays another’s debts at their own expense. Ruth’s faithfulness and Boaz’s generosity saved Naomi’s inheritance. Because of Boaz’s compassionate love, the family line was redeemed. Ruth—a foreign, desolate, poverty-stricken woman—becomes a beloved wife and gives birth to the son who would continue the royal line through David to Jesus, the promised Messiah. What a faith-building glimpse into the gracious nature of God! This, too, is a part of the Christmas story and the story of grace. God fulfills His purposes and rewards those who follow Him.
Joko, an Indonesian church planter with Light of the Islands, was visiting a local tourist site one day when he met Edi, the site’s manager. As they got acquainted, Edi described a lifestyle of nightclubs, promiscuity and indulgence. When he finished sharing, Joko asked, “How long do you want to live like this?” He then shared the Good News with Edi, who was so moved by it that he decided to follow Jesus that very day.
Over the years, Joko continued to disciple Edi as he grew in faith. Today, Edi’s life has been transformed by Christ. He now mentors his friends from the nightclubs, and many of them are curious to know what caused such a sudden change in Edi’s life. Through Joko and Edi, and their faithfulness to sharing the Gospel, God is fulfilling His purposes in Indonesia and many lives are being redeemed and transformed!