Bold Faith, Humble Hearts: Lessons from Ruth's Story
This blog is created from Ps Dan’s message At the Redeemers Feet, from our Redeeming Love Series.
In the tapestry of biblical narratives, few stories captivate the heart and challenge the spirit quite like that of Ruth. Her tale is one of bold faith, humble obedience, and the transformative power of God's redeeming love. As we delve into this ancient account, we find timeless truths that speak profoundly to our modern lives.
The story reaches a pivotal moment when Ruth, a widowed Moabite woman, takes a daring step of faith. Under the guidance of her mother-in-law Naomi, Ruth approaches Boaz, a potential kinsman-redeemer, on the threshing floor at night. This act was fraught with risk – rejection, misunderstanding, and potential damage to her reputation. Yet, it was not a move of manipulation or entitlement, but rather a faith-filled act of trust in God's provision and Boaz's character.
This moment serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes faith calls us to take bold steps. It's easy to fall into a pattern of comfortable Christianity, never stepping out in ways that truly require God to show up. But bold faith often looks like doing exploits for God that, if He doesn't intervene, could lead to failure. It's in these moments of vulnerability and dependence that we often experience God's faithfulness most profoundly.
Consider the story of Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China in the 1800s. With no guaranteed support and facing criticism for his "reckless" approach, Taylor stepped into the unknown, trusting in God's providence. His obedience opened the door for one of the most fruitful missionary movements in history. Taylor once said, "Unless there is an element of risk to our exploits for God, there is no need for faith."
This challenges us to reflect: Where might God be calling us to take a bold step of faith? Is there a relationship that needs reconciliation? A call to step up in service or generosity? An opportunity to share our faith with others? Bold faith moves us closer to our Redeemer, not by demanding our own way, but by humbly saying, "Lord, here I am. I trust you."
As we see Ruth's story unfold, we witness a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Redeemer. When Ruth asks Boaz to "spread the corner of your garment over me," she's using covenant language, asking for protection and commitment. Boaz's response is remarkable – he promises to act, protect, and provide, even at great cost to himself.
This points us directly to Jesus, who doesn't just tolerate us but covers us with His righteousness. As Isaiah 61:10 beautifully puts it, "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness." At the cross, Jesus spread His covering over us, taking our shame, guilt, and sin, and committing Himself to us forever.
Like Ruth at Boaz's feet, we find that being at the feet of Jesus is the safest place on earth. He doesn't just meet our daily needs; He gives us a new name and commits Himself in covenant love to never leave nor forsake us. This is the heart of the gospel – we bring nothing but our need, and we find not rejection, but welcome.
The story also teaches us about waiting on God's timing. After her encounter with Boaz, Ruth had to wait to see how things would unfold. Waiting can be one of the hardest aspects of faith, yet it's often in these seasons that God builds our faith, deepens our dependence, and prepares us for what's ahead.
We're reminded of George Müller, who prayed daily for the salvation of five friends. The first came to Christ after five years, the second after ten, the third after 25, and the fourth after 50. Müller prayed for the fifth for over 60 years, dying before seeing the answer. Yet, a few years after Müller's death, that final friend surrendered his life to Christ. This remarkable story shows us that waiting is never wasted with God.
Perhaps you're in a season of waiting – for healing, for answered prayer, for provision, or for clarity. The temptation is to take matters into our own hands, but Ruth's story reminds us that God honors those who wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 encourages us: "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."
Waiting, in the context of faith, isn't passive. It's an active trust, continuing to be faithful in what God has called us to do while trusting Him with the outcomes. It's choosing to believe even when we can't see the results yet, trusting that our Redeemer is working on our behalf.
As we reflect on Ruth's story, we're ultimately pointed to Jesus, our greater Redeemer. Where Boaz redeemed Ruth from poverty and insecurity, Jesus redeems us from sin and death itself. On the cross, Jesus did what Boaz could only foreshadow – He took our sin and shame and gave us His honor, bore our sin and clothed us in His perfection.
The heart of the gospel is this: redemption doesn't come by our striving or proving ourselves worthy. It comes by surrender, by placing ourselves at the feet of Jesus and trusting Him to do what only He can do. Jesus has accomplished our redemption; we need only to receive it.
So today, wherever you find yourself, the invitation remains: Will you bring your emptiness, your brokenness, your longing, and place it at the feet of Jesus? As you do, you'll receive His forgiveness, His covering, His life. In a world that often feels uncertain and chaotic, there's no safer place to be than covered by the love and grace of our ultimate Redeemer.