As Christians, God is guiding and moving in the events of our lives. Even when we think that we are making moves to better our own lives, God is still in control.
When you look at Ruth’s life, if you look closely, you can see the Providence of God in her life.
God allows trials in our lives. Do we trust Him or not?
When the hardships of life cause us to make choices, God’s hand is still on our lives. He moves in ways we don’t understand, but with each step we take, good or bad, He can work it out for our good.
The story of Ruth starts like this,
“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.” Ruth 1:1 NLT
The children of Israel were in disobedience to God, and he allowed a famine to be upon the land.
This famine leads Elimelech to move his family to Moab, where we meet Ruth and becomes a part of the family.
In Moab, they did not find the blessing as they had hoped. Elimelech dies, and his sons die too.
“Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.” Ruth 1:3-5 NLT
Elimelech did not trust God to take care of his family in the hard times. So he decided to try to make things better for himself and his family. Even though Elimelech did not trust God to take care of them, God used his move. Ruth was introduced to the Lord through this family, and it made an impact on her life, which God blessed.
“Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).”
Matthew 1:5-6 NLT
God can place us in the right place at the right time.
“Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.
One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”
Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.” Ruth 2:1-3 NLT
Note the words “and as it happened” Nothing just happens.
God placed in Ruth’s heart to go out the work in the field and had her choose the field of Boaz. God was working on Ruth’s behalf.
God gives grace and favor
Even though she is a foreigner, God softens Boaz’s heart to show Ruth kindness.
“Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth 2:8-9 NLT
God can use people to show His grace for us.
The story of Ruth is an embodiment of Romans 8:28-30:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” NLT
Ruth, a foreigner, was given a place in the family of God even though her circumstances did not start out the ideal in a human sense. Yet, God caused all of it to work for good.
How has God worked good in your life? I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment below.
