The Heart of Christ...

26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why are You talking with her?"

28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.—John 4:26-29

I have read this chapter many times but never noticed that Jesus’ own disciples by their harsh words and judgmental demeanor broke up this precious conversation/conversion that Jesus was having with this Samaritan woman.  Father, give me Your  compassionate, sympathetic heart. May I see all with Your spiritual eyes and never come between You and the blessed work You are doing in another sinner’s heart.  May my attitude bring them toward You and not drive them away. I am thankful that You are in sovereign control.  Your work goes forward despite me/us!  You work even our unkindness and sin together for our good and Your glory.  

The Lord Deals Kindly...

The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.—Ruth 1:8

16 But Ruth said:

"Entreat me not to leave you,

Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go;

And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The LORD do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me."

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. —Ruth 1:16-18

Oh Father...This morning my voice echoes Ruth’s. You, my almighty God HAVE dealt so kindly with me.  I will follow hard after You abiding under the shadow of Your wing.   I will cling to You for You are my light and my life. Because Your Spirit dwells in me and is with me, I will never turn back from following You.  Teach me Your statutes!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the LORD.—Ps 104:33-34