God is Working

Scripture Reading: Ruth 1-4; Psalm 100

It’s a little disappointing that we only read the book of Ruth on one day. Even though it’s a book best read in a single sitting, one has to wish we could spend a few more days with it. Even though I’ve read it countless times, I never tire of it. On a human level alone, it’s a story full of beauty and intrigue, moving quickly from tragedy to triumph.

There’s far more in Ruth than one devotional can cover, so I’ll just offer a few general comments, leave some breadcrumbs, and leave it to you see where they lead.

First, while it’s a beautiful story in itself, the tale is told to set the stage for something far beyond the lives of its main characters. It points us to the gospel. Both genealogies in the New Testament include Boaz, and Matthew’s account includes both Boaz and Ruth. We’re also told that Boaz was the son of Rahab—which may help explain his compassion toward Ruth.

Ruth was a Moabite. The Moabites were enemies of Israel. Yet Ruth is brought into the covenant people of God and becomes the grandmother of King David—and one of the women through whom the Messiah would come.

It’s also worth remembering that this story takes place during the time of the judges. We just finished reading Judges, and as I wrote a few days ago: You read Judges and wonder, What in the world is going on here? Has God lost control of His world and His people?

But if I can put it this way: God was playing the long game. While everything seemed chaotic and out of control—even in the personal tragedies Naomi and Ruth endured—God was working out His purposes. And while that included lifting them from poverty and sorrow, it was much more than that. He was working to save the world.

There’s no way those two women could have imagined the role they would play in God’s plan to bring the Messiah into the world. They were mostly concerned with survival and safety in a harsh world. And yet God was doing something big—though “big” isn’t a big enough word. I don’t even know what word is.

So while life might seem scary, chaotic, threatening, or confusing, know this: God is working. His plan is unfolding. His Kingdom is coming. His will is being done. And while we may not understand our role in the moment, take heart—God never fails.

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash