NOT EMPTY-HANDED

Ruth 3; 11-18 ~ Week 12

Day 1:
Is any fear or request on your heart? Tell Him about it:

Ruth 3:11
“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.” To what situation is He telling you, “And now, my daughter, do not fear. “?

Why did Boaz promise Ruth to do for her all that she requested?

The Hebrew word for virtuous encompasses all these qualities: strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army. Which of these do you most identify with?

Which do you most need? Ask, and He will give it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“And He said to me, “ My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” How is this relevant to you today?

John 15:7
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” What is God’s condition for doing what we desire?

Why do you think He requires that?

John 15:16
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” What is the condition here?

What fruit are you bearing?

What fruit do you long to bear?

Now ask your Father whatever you desire:

Amen.
Day 2
As you tune into God now, how do you see Him? (as Father, Lover, Provider…)

Ruth 3:12-13
“Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you— good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.” Is there someone from whom you need/ long for a certain action?

What will happen if they don’t perform it?

What is the best possible outcome you can imagine?

What did Boaz promise?

What has God promised you?

Exodus 20:20
“And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” Are you aware of temptation to sin in your situation?

1 Chronicles 28:20
“Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God —my God — will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” What service is that for you?

John 12:26
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” Your response:

Read the following Scriptures slowly and take note of they show you: Ephesians 6:12-17
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” 2 Chronicles 20:17
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! ’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” What is He showing you:

Day 3
Thank Him for meeting with you now:

Ruth 3:14
“So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Why do you think Boaz said that?

Matthew 6:6
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Why do you think your Father says that?

You can trust Him with your secrets:

Psalms 27:5
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.”
What does that mean to you today:

Ruth 3:15
“Also he said, “ Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.” Is there anything in your life He is asking to give to Him that He may fill it?

Isaiah 60:17
“ Instead of bronze I will bring gold, instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron.
I will also make your officers peace, and your magistrates righteousness.” What does that mean to you today?

The word for shawl also means veil.
Matthew 27:51
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,” Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Boldly before the throne of grace, ask Him:

2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Day 4
Acknowledge that you are before His throne of grace:

Ruth 3:16-17
“When she came to her mother- in- law, she said, “ Is that you, my daughter?”
Then she told her all that the man had done for her. And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty- handed to your mother- in- law. ’” If someone asked you what the Lord has done for you, how would you answer?

Whom do you generally tell about your life?

Do you in any way feel empty-handed?

The Hebrew word for empty-handed was first used here:
Genesis 31:42
“Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty- handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” What affliction has God seen in your life?

What labor of your hands?

Has He rebuked anyone on your behalf?

Exodus 3:21
“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty- handed.” Is there a situation where you need His favor?

Isaiah 55:11
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void (same word as empty-handed),
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
What does it mean to you that His word will not return empty-handed?

Psalms 84:11
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace (same word as favor) and glory;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Your response:

Deuteronomy 32:47
“For it is not a futile (empty-handed) thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.” Day 5
Focus your attention on Him:

Ruth 3:18
“Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” Is it difficult for you to sit still?

The underlined words are the same as the one used in sit still in Ruth3:18 Psalms 113:8-9
“That He may seat him with princes — with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!”
Does it help you sit still to know that He acts?

Think of a specific situation where this matters:

Exodus 14:13-14
“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Ask Him to fight for you:

What does it mean for you to hold your peace?

Nehemiah 8:11b
“Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”
Holy means set apart for Him. Set your day apart for Him:

Psalms 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Complete these sentences as suggested:
I know that You are God and my hormones are not
I know that You are God and _______________________ is not.
I know that You are God and _______________________ is not.
I know that You are God and _______________________ is not.
Ruth 3:18
“Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” What matter do you need Him to conclude:

Mark 4:39
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “ Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”