She Has Continued From Morning Until Now

Ruth was faithful and persevering. God’s will was her food from the beginning, “from morning.” Of what significance is that for the inner life? It means right from when light first dawned. This denotes the light that shines as soon as we have left the darkness, as well as the light we receive concerning a certain work we are to do.

In Colossians 1:6 we read, “Bringing forth fruit . . . since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.” This is how Ruth was. She bore fruit and grew in God’s field from the very beginning. There is also abundant opportunity to do that, since Peter says that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Pet. 1:3. And Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ . . . .” Eph. 1:3. If we consider the church today, we will discover that, unfortunately, Hebrews 5:12 is a more apt description: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

Growth should begin on the first day but, unfortunately, most people stop after they have taken the first step. They pray for the forgiveness of their sins, but they have no desire to follow Jesus by suffering and dying to their self-life. In other words, they want to be set free from suffering in their consciences, but they do not want to obey the voice of the Spirit, take up their cross, and suffer in the flesh.

From morning until now. This is a testing of our life. Have we gleaned in God’s field, grown and borne fruit from the time we were born again until now? Test your life and you will come face to face with your attitude of mind. Have you been as faithful as Ruth was in Boaz’s fields, or have you been unfaithful? “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed . . . .” 2 Tim. 2:15. Now you have an opportunity to live your life before God’s face “from morning until now.” “Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you . . . .” Prov. 2:11. If you have been dull, then surrender totally to Him who can make you fervent in spirit. Laziness belongs to the world and is not found in God’s kingdom, yet it is a fruit of the flesh that is quite common and widespread among Christians.

If everyone had grown from when they first received light until now, we would have marveled at the energetic power in the soil of God’s kingdom. Jesus says, “I am the First and the Last.” Rev. 1:17. For us He must be the First in everything—the entire substance—and also the Last. Then there will be no room left for anything but Him alone.