The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we release all our needs into God’s hands and trust in his might. Ruth is an example of this kind of trust. After her husband died, Ruth lived with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi was concerned about Ruth’s welfare and future, so she advised Ruth to lie down at the feet of the wealthy Boaz and ask him to fulfill his obligation to her as her kinsman.
That evening, after the day’s winnowing was finished, Boaz lay down “at the end of the heap of grain” (Ruth 3:7, NKJV)and pulled a blanket over himself. The next morning, he woke up startled, finding a woman lying at his feet.
Ruth said to him, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative” (Ruth 3:9). She was saying, in essence, “Will you take on the obligation of a relative for me? Will you provide for me?” This was no manipulative scheme. Ruth and Naomi had done everything in divine order. We can be sure of this because Christ’s lineage came through Ruth. When Ruth returned home Naomi asked her, “Is that you, my daughter?” (Ruth 3:16). She was asking, in other words, “Shall I call you ‘engaged’ Ruth? Or are you still ‘widowed’ Ruth?”
Ruth told Naomi all that had happened. Listen to Naomi’s godly advice: “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day” (Ruth 3:18). Naomi had no doubt prayed about the matter, seeking God’s direction, and God had given her counsel. He must have reminded her about the law of the kinsman-redeemer, which was a type and foreshadowing of Christ. Naomi was confident that she and Ruth had done their part. Now it was time to sit still and trust God to perform what he had promised. She was saying, “It’s all in the Lord’s hands now, Ruth. Just relax and be calm.”
A calm and peace settled over Naomi’s house. Nobody was in a frenzy, biting fingernails and wondering, “Will God do it? When will it happen?” These two faithful women could relax, sing and praise the Lord for his goodness.
Have you prayed? Have you trusted? Are you ready to sit still and “see the salvation of the Lord”? He has everything under control!