Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes, I have found myself thinking: “I have been faithful, so why, God? How? When will my prayers be answered? After all, telling myself to have faith and doing this can be two different things. I often want God to answer my prayers immediately. But I have learned that God’s timing, plan, and resolution frequently differ from mine. That’s why Ruth’s story in the Old Testament offers me hope. Her story demonstrates that I don’t always need to know all the answers, but to trust God. Ruth’s story demonstrates that God offers redemption, rescue, and restoration to those who place their faith and hope in Him.
My Redemption Story
The Problem
I had been a teacher for 26 years and loved children and teaching. I felt confident in my abilities, knowing that I had a positive impact on my students’ lives. When I took a job at a new school, I thought it would be my dream job because the school’s teaching philosophy aligned with my own. However, it turned out to be more of a nightmare. Let’s just say I didn’t fit in. I felt as if I were back in high school. And let me tell you, I was not invited to join the popular clique.
Apparently, someone wanted to get rid of me because they spread a lie saying I had been unkind to a special needs student. Unfortunately, my boss believed it. I was shocked and had no idea what to do or how to defend myself. So, I lay awake at night praying and overthinking possible solutions.
And that’s how I ran a red light and broke my back a couple of days later: overthinking, fretting, and crying…I wasn’t paying attention. My body, career, reputation, and self-worth were decimated. It had all gone up in flames, leaving nothing but hurt, rejection, and brokenness.
It was at this point that I finally surrendered everything to God. Daily, I poured out my heart and declared my trust in God. I didn’t know what my future looked like: whether I would heal or if I would teach again. I couldn’t see God’s plan or how He could restore everything. I just knew I couldn’t, so I surrendered it all to Him.
God’s Redemption
I couldn’t see how God would bring beauty from my ashes. But God did! Today, I have a new job I love. I can teach students one-on-one without having to stand for extended periods. This accommodates my back as it continues to heal. I work with a group of beautiful Christian women where I am liked and respected. My new boss compliments my abilities and says I inspire other teachers.
Recently, I ran into the parents of my old special needs student. I was terrified, but they were thrilled to see me. They told me I had made an enormous difference in their son’s life. They said he was only excelling and accepted in his school because of my efforts. The kind words from these particular people were confirmation that God had worked a miracle. God gave me redemption and made a way when I couldn’t see one.
Ruth’s Story of Redemption
The Problems
Ruth’s story revolves around her relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Due to a famine in Judah, Naomi and her family migrated to the land of Moab. Then Naomi’s husband, Elimelek, died. Her two sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. However, ten years later, both sons died as well (Ruth 1:1-5).
The Decision
Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem because she had heard “the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them” (Ruth 1:6, NIV). She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families, saying, “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:9, NIV).
Orpah returned. But Ruth loved Naomi and refused to leave her. Ruth made an oath to Naomi, saying, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, NIV).
The Move Didn’t Solve the Problems
So, Ruth went with Naomi to Bethlehem. But being widows, they had no means of income. Thus, in love, Ruth offered to glean wheat (pick up the leftover grain). Ruth worked in the field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy relative. Because she worked so hard, she earned recognition. Since Boaz had heard of her loyalty to Ruth, he instructed her to work only in his field. Boaz gave her grain and water and protected her from his men. (Ruth 2).
God’s Redemption
After a time, Naomi devised a plan to find a home for Ruth where they would both be well provided for. She instructed Ruth to approach Boaz on the threshing floor at night and lie down at his feet (Ruth 3). Ruth obeyed. When Boaz awoke, he offered to help Ruth again because of her noble character. Boaz negotiated with Naomi’s nearest relative to buy her husband’s land and became her guardian-redeemer. Finally, Boaz married Ruth. They had a son named Obed, a direct descendant of Jesus’ lineage (Ruth 4).
Four Lessons We Can Learn from Ruth:
1. Loyalty and character make a difference.
Ruth’s loyalty and commitment were demonstrated by her decision to stay with Naomi. She left all she knew, her own family and the opportunity to remarry, and went to a foreign land. She honored her commitment to Naomi and faced hard times.
Once they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth remained loyal by spending long, physically demanding days in the field to provide food for herself and Naomi. Her loyalty and hard work earned her recognition from the field manager and, in turn, Boaz.
2. We can follow our faith because God is faithful.
When Naomi left Moab, Ruth was young. However, she showed incredible faith. She left the ways and religion of her people behind to follow after God. Despite facing challenges, Ruth trusted God’s plan for her life. She had faith that God would provide for her and her mother-in-law. She knew God was Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. And in the end, her faith paid off.
3. God loves and offers grace and redemption to everyone.
Ruth was a Moabite, not an Israelite, one of God’s chosen people. Others treated her as inferior, but God saw and loved her. God does not discriminate. He loves all people equally. God didn’t just redeem Ruth and Naomi. God used Ruth as part of His plan to provide grace and redemption to everyone through Jesus.
4. We Can Trust God’s Plan.
Because Ruth was a childless widow, she had no social standing. But she boldly moved forward, followed her mother-in-law, and looked to God and the future.
God’s plan for Ruth was far greater than simply providing for her needs. She was to become part of the lineage of Christ! God orchestrated and used everything, including the famine that brought Naomi’s family to Moab, the deaths of their husbands, and poverty as widows. Only God could have orchestrated Boaz’s choice to help Ruth rather than allowing her to experience scandal when she went to the all-male threshing floor. The nearest relative chooses not to buy Naomi’s land. God was there through it all. He redeemed her and blessed her with a son in the bloodline of Jesus.
God Has A Plan for You, Too!
Oh, friend, no matter what you have been through or are currently experiencing, God has a plan for your life. And His plans are good, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) Therefore, you can look forward and trust that God has a plan for you. “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT).
When your life’s journey brings difficulties, pray and trust God. He will strengthen, help, and uphold you with his righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) God can redeem your life, just as he did Ruth’s. He is “your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One” (Isaiah 49:26, NIV).
If You Need Redemption
If you are unsure if God has or will redeem your life, please read How to Get God-Confidence.
