One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.

Now we see that Ruth’s faithfulness and obedience to her mother-in-law is complete. Naomi tells her what to do and how to do it to get Boaz to take care of her. She could have gone after the most handsome or wealthiest young man. She had winsome qualities that Boaz did not deny. But instead, she followed her mother-in-law’s direction and presented herself to the older Boaz, as her “guardian-redeemer”.

Sometimes we don’t always understand why we are taken down the paths in life we travel. It may be easier to deal with if it is due to our own sin. But when it is either due to circumstances outside our control or sin of another, it is hard to come to a place of contentment with where God has us. Ruth did this and was able to see beyond youth and male vigor and beauty into the heart of Boaz. Make no mistake, she chooses Boaz here. And she chooses to follow Naomi’s recommendation.

Today, life is full of uncertainty in our country: recession, foreign powers growing, the US dollar weakening on the world stage, job loss, inflation, trains derailing at a rapid rate, mass shootings at schools and people trying to change their God-given genders. And the list goes on …

God has each of us HERE FOR A REASON! And if we are faithful and follow his lead and the lead of those he has spiritually blessed us with, we will see his incredible provision in our lives. Ruth is beginning to see blessing out of her heartache.

Thank you, Lord, for your provision for me. You always give me what I need as I serve you faithfully. I choose to trust you!