Ruth 3: But Wait… There’s More

Miracles are God working beyond the ordinary. Providence is God working through the ordinary. “As it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz…” Ruth 2:3  

We get to read Ruth’s story backward, but she had to live it forward. You don’t have to understand everything God is doing to be faithful with what He’s asking you to do.

DO WHAT IS YOURS TO DO

“So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.” Ruth 3:6 

Ruth trusted God, but she still moved. Pray. Seek wisdom. Make the plan. Take the next step. “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”Proverbs 16:9. Being strong enough to do your part also means being humble enough to know when your part is done.

TRUST YOUR REDEEMER WITH WHAT YOU CANNOT SETTLE

“Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” Ruth 3:9. Ruth was strong, courageous, capable, and faithful. But Ruth could not redeem Ruth. Eventually, every one of us encounters something we cannot settle for ourselves. My strength has a limit. His doesn’t. My understanding has a limit. His doesn’t.

BE FAITHFUL WITH THE BARLEY

Boaz sent Ruth home with six measures of barley and said: “You must not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.” Ruth 3:17. Don’t despise the barley because it isn’t the breakthrough.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10. Sometimes God gives us enough grace for today while something else is still unresolved.

Until suddenly comes, be faithful with the barley.

WAITING IN CHAPTER 3

“Then Naomi said to her, ‘Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.’” Ruth 3:18. Ruth didn’t know Chapter 4. She knew the character of the one who told her he would handle it. And we know the character of our Redeemer. Boaz was willing to go to the gate for Ruth. Jesus went to the cross for us. Our Redeemer settled what we could never settle for ourselves.

UNTIL SUDDENLY COMES…

Make your plans and give them to God. Do what is yours to do. Be faithful with what He has put in your hands. When your part is done, trust your Redeemer with what only He can settle. If all you have today is barley, don’t despise it because it isn’t the breakthrough. If suddenly hasn’t come yet, don’t assume God isn’t moving. If you cannot see His hand, trust His character. My hope is not in suddenly. My hope is in my Redeemer.

Until suddenly comes, I’ll be faithful with the barley.

God is faithful. God is still working. And if I can’t see it yet? BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE