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A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon

Preaching Text: Ruth 3:1-9

The Lord is neither early nor late for his work. He works his plan perfectly. However, when we grow impatient or frustrated, we can be tempted to force our will on situations. That is dangerous and foolish because the Lord alone knows all things and has the wisdom of foresight.

Trusting in God is always better than acting for him.

In verse 1, Naomi seems to step into a place that only God can ultimately hold for Ruth. “Should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” Naomi says. I suggest that only God can provide rest and wellness.   Her plan confirms that she is not acting with God’s wisdom.

The scholar, Sinclair Ferguson, points this out clearly. “Is she really telling her daughter-in-law to perfume herself, put on her most attractive clothes, go down to the threshing floor in the middle of the night, lie beside a man to whom she is not married and wait to see what happens?”

In attempting to secure a marriage proposal, Naomi potentially puts Ruth’s future at risk. A number of things could have back-fired. Thankfully, the Lord’s mercy protected both Ruth and Boaz and things turned out okay.

We must remember that God’s plans cannot be thwarted or forced by our exertions, but we can hurt ourselves in acting as God. Thankfully, God still uses sinners like us to accomplish his good plan.

We can learn a lot from the example of Jesus who followed the Father’s plan constantly, often aware of the timing of the Father. John’s gospel in particular shows Jesus aware of “his hour.” If the Son of God needed the Father’s timing, how much more do we need to trust in him! 

Taking it home: Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5. Recite it to your heart throughout the coming week.