Beyond gleaning after the reapers, never again to be the tail, but you shall be the head.
Most things in the life of the believer are but a progression. Therein, those things of a humble beginning shall be an eventful conclusion if we persist. Knowing any discomfort of now cannot be compared to the reward of that which is to come. Not only for the eternal in glory, but for now as well. Within you and you alone are the awareness of the discomforts experienced and your shortcomings. So then, let it be you, in your persistence through determination by faith, continue to progress. Knowing the conclusion shall be everything you have wanted and more than you’ve imagined.
The phrase gleaning beyond the reapers, it speaks of another believer. Ruth by name. Though she believed in the Lord, but the conclusion of her story was but a progression at this moment. Through others were her needs met. The reapers speak of those who work in the fields, in a higher position. These were individuals of an affluent position than that of Ruth. After their work was over, she then had to walk onto the field, and trace the path of the reapers who had already harvested the crops with the hope of finding leftovers.
This was Ruth’s current condition, but it never changes the fact that she remains a believer, and she persists.
Some of you are a believer, but your condition isn’t where you ought to be. Nevertheless, know this, though your condition isn’t where it ought to be, but your position in the Lord is where you ought to be. Your persistence shall be the path to your eventful reward.
The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:12
These were the words of assurance spoken to Ruth, and this day, this is the word unto you as a believer. The phrase, “under whose wings thou art come to trust,” it speaks of the humble spirit of the believer, drawing closer to the Lord for a protection in a time of need. At times, often we have to be protected from the world and the things therein, likewise at times we have to be protected from ourselves. We feel we are unworthy, but the Lord is saying; come unto Me, you are tired, I will give you rest. A rest wherewith you may rest and continue gleaning after the reapers until you do arrive at that place where you ought to be. However, in you should burn the persistence of faith. Knowing the Lord loves you. He will give you a meaningful conclusion of your heart’s desire.
Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
The Greek text reads:
Come here to Me, all who are growing weary to the point of exhaustion, and who have been loaded with burdens and are bending beneath their weight, and I alone will cause you to cease from your labor and take away your burdens and thus refresh you with rest.
Observe the phrase “come here.” The adverb “here,” speaks of a precise action and decision on the part of you the believer. Where are you in your life, is it where you ought to be? The Lord already knows you are tired and burdened, and why you are tired and burdened. Nevertheless, He is calling to you, come here. As in come to me. I alone will cause you to cease from your labor and take away your burdens and thus refresh you with rest.
Let the feel of the burden be the reminder that you are going through an experience, but it is not your conclusion.
Are you disappointed, wand’ring here and there,
Dragging chains of doubt and loaded down with care?
Do unholy feelings struggle in your breast?
Bring your case to Jesus, He will give you rest.
Sidenote
Ruth unknowingly engages in the wrong at the beginning of her life’s story. For her, it was being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the wrong marriage, and she experienced difficulties thereafter, but God knew her heart. Long gone was the wrong husband from her life. She did leave behind the wrong places, but Ruth remains, with a good heart and persisted in her faith. The conclusion of her life was better than the errors and the shortcomings of the beginning of her life.
For other believers, the error at your story beginning may differ than that of Ruth, but the effects are the same. Therefore, persist and you shall be an overcomer.