I’m going to be moving in a couple of weeks! The condo I presently live in is under contract, and the house I’m buying is almost ready. It’s a completely renovated 1950s, cedar-siding, 1,800 sq. ft. house right next door to a great friend and renovated to my own specs: it’s a huge blessing and more than what I hoped for or deserve.

Last Saturday, I enjoyed a lazy morning at home nursing a cup of coffee over some Bible reading and meditation. I read Psalm 81 and was deeply moved by the last line wherein, God says he would feed Israel with honey from the rock. Honey. Not gruel. No, he wanted to pour out extravagance on his people.

Honey isn’t about surviving, it’s about THRIVING. It’s not about need, it’s about DESIRE. He wasn’t going to give them just enough, he was going to cause their proverbial cup to RUNNETH OVER. Makes me think of a verse:

“Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”  Ephesians 3:20

That’s our God loving his people, and news flash: we’re included in that “his people” part. And so was Ruth! Talk about honey from the rock, she and Naomi were basically facing starvation a few verses before Boaz promises to redeem them both.

And y’all, he wasn’t driving a bread truck. He was a landowner and farmer. He had lots of folks working for him. This was amazing provision and a complete turn of events for our girl and her mother-in-law. Honey from the rock. Sweetness from the direst of circumstances, abundantly above all Ruth thought to ask or think! She was just gleaning at the edge of stranger’s field one day, engaged to be married to him the next!

I’m exaggerating at bit, but you understand how it is: when the turnaround happens, the suffering so often seems insignificant compared to the good that comes from it. Like childbirth. Or so I’ve heard… LOL.

So have you ever named your house? I mean the way people name their beach house Dune’s End, Sunset Cottage or Sand Dollar Sound or something similar? I’m naming my new house Honey from the Rock as a reminder of a gracious father’s magnificent love for this girl. He’s just so good! Like Ruth, I too have been through times when I could not see the other end of my misery. But her story is true: there is redemption! God’s provision extends into our situation in the most unexpected ways. He still brings honey from the rock!

~~~

Joni Butler has called the ‘Ham home since 2012. Officially, she’s here for employment but has found a home here at Breath. Though an avid diarist for years, this is her first writing gig. Jesus is her best friend and she loves pursuing Him passionately.  You can read more about Joni in her Breath Bio. 

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