#FEARLESS365 is a yearlong study of God’s commandment to us to live without fear. For 365 days, we will focus on one scripture and volunteers from all over the world will share their personal thoughts and what God has shared with them on the specific verse. For more info… go here.

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.

Ruth 3:11

The book of Ruth is a beautiful story of love and redemption. Ruth is a woman of fierce loyalty and courageous obedience. Time and time again we see her following, loving, submitting, and obeying. These acts do not make inferior or weak, but rather show her strong faith.

After her husband’s death, she journeys with her mother-in-law, Noami, to Moab. Both of them are penniless and widowed. Then, she works diligently in the fields to gather food for herself and Naomi. She couldn’t have been proud of that. I’m sure she wasn’t walking around Moab boasting of her hard work and sacrifice. I doubt that she paid much attention to the townspeople.  She was too busy caring for her family for any of that. However, people noticed her work and noticed her diligence. In Ruth 3:11, Boaz says to her “All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” Integrity does not go unnoticed. Rest assured, we do not labor in vain.

Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer and he’s a great picture of Christ for us. Boaz gave generously, spoke tenderly, and cared for Ruth. Ruth was a woman with a sad history and nothing to offer. How many of us does that describe? Yet Boaz accepted her, loved her, and redeemed her.

“And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid.” These words are the tender reassurance that Boaz would take care of Ruth and treat her well. These words came through the darkness and offered hope and healing to Ruth. In this moment, Boaz commits to Ruth that he will take care of her and that she will become his wife.

These words are also the loving words from our Father, reminding us that He sees, He knows, and He loves. We have nothing to fear. Our Redeemer has accepted us and He wants to make us whole. Oh, how this speaks to my soul. I don’t have anything to offer the King of Kings. Standing before Him, I am broken, I am desperate, I am unworthy. Yet, He says to me and to you, “My daughter, don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and you are mine.”

Beka Evington is a Blogger at Grace to Soar (gracetosoar.com), Freelancer, Wife and Mommy who lives in Hendersonville, NC. She’s raising a three-year-old monster/racecar/superhero depending on the hour. She taught elementary school for 8 years.