How can the Lord be so gracious to me?
Ruth 2:8-10 Then Boaz said to Ruth, 'Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. 'Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.' Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, 'Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?'
Now it wouldn't have been easy being a widow on your own in those days. In fact, it could be quite dangerous. But Ruth had no reason to fear with Boaz. What was Boaz's response to Ruth's approach by grace? It was one of provision. He would provide the field for her to glean in, water to drink when she was thirsty and protection from anyone harming her. Amazing! Yet he has one command - stay in his field! In other words, look to him and he will provide. Just don't go off into other fields even if they look good. The Lord also has promised that he will provide our needs with the same condition of looking to Him. Naomi had to learn this lesson the hard way down in Moab earlier when she had doubted the provision of God and wandered off, back to the world. But Ruth was single-minded and dedicated - firstly to Naomi and her God, but soon she would show that same dedication to Boaz.
But Ruth is shaking her head - 'I don't get it. I just do not get it! Why are you so kind to me? I'm a Moabite!' She was amazed. Moab was the son of an incestuous relationship between Lot (who was drunk) and his oldest daughter and as a nation the Moabites were Israel's enemy, having opposed Israel when she came out of Egypt. So why was Boaz so kind? Well, in the natural it was probably because he was pretty keen on Ruth! But what about the spiritual? Have you come to the point in your Christian life where you just have to stop and shake your head in disbelief at the grace of God? You've seen what you are like in your own nature, yet you still find yourself blessed by God. That's is why grace is so amazing.
William Newell in his classic on Romans wrote some awesome thoughts concerning grace. One of his points for 'the proper attitude for those under grace' was - 'To believe, and to consent to be loved while unworthy is the great secret.' I like that.