The book of Ruth is one of the rare biblical stories with a truly happy ending. The book presents us with godly, realistic characters whose example we can follow. All of us should seek to be people like Boaz and Ruth; we should be kind, gracious, and virtuous. Above all, we should be confident that God demonstrates His faithfulness by loving, superintending, and caring for His people. Since God is so kind and gracious to us, we should respond by obeying his commands and being kind and gracious toward others. Read More ...

Often we have to wait to see what the outcome of our plans will be. Are things going to work out as we hope, or will our plans come to nothing? That all depends on the providence of God. We should trust that God will work out his plan according to his own purposes. The Bible affirms that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps 37:23). If we are people like Boaz and Ruth, we can be confident that God is working behind the scenes to order and guide our steps. If we are honorable and virtuous people, we can sit still and wait as God works out his plan in our lives. Read More ...

Let’s also consider whether we have the kind of inner, personal character and virtue that allow people to trust us to do the right thing. There should be no doubt in people’s minds that we are trustworthy and virtuous people. There should be no question about whether we would respond correctly in a delicate and potentially dangerous situation. We should be people of integrity and virtue that others trust to do the right thing. Read More ...

Next time your wife or husband asks you how your day went, or when someone asks, “How are you?” try this reply: “God hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.” That response might be a good conversation starter. Read More ...

This passage shows us that God is working behind the scenes to provide for his people. Even seemingly random, chance occurrences are part of God’s providential care for us. Those who have come to trust under the shadow of God’s wing can have hope for the future. We must trust in the Lord to guide us to our place of work and to the people we need to know. Read More ...

We probably don’t understand how radical of a commitment this was. Ruth was ready to leave her country and her own people in order to follow Naomi. A person’s identity and sense of stability and security is often directly tied to family and home place. Ruth is willing to give up all of that to follow Naomi. And all of that is despite the fact that Naomi believes that the future is hopeless. So Ruth’s commitment to Naomi is really remarkable. Read More ...

Before making a major move, every family should very carefully weigh the pros and the cons—the costs and the benefits. You don’t want to seek greener grass elsewhere, only to find more problems in the new place. It’s probably not a good idea to move to a place that is spiritually dark and pagan. You must consider the effects of the move on your family. Read More ...