“Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain.” Ruth 2:2
Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the broad field of promise. Here is an abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet your wants. Take this one: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.” Doesn’t that suit your case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come—weaker than weakness itself—a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break you.
On the contrary, he will restore and strengthen you. You are like the smoldering wick: no light, no warmth, can come from you, but he will not quench you—he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans you to a flame. Would you glean another ear?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What soft words! Your heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaks so gently to you. Won’t you obey him, and come to him even now?
Take another ear of corn: “Fear not, you worm Jacob . . . I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” How can you fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? You may gather ten thousand such golden ears as these!
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist.” Or this, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Or this, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ . . . And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
Our Master’s field is very rich—behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before you, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them your own, for Jesus bids you take them. Do not afraid—only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
