… “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.” —Ruth 3:18 NLT

Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, had just returned home after ten years in a foreign land. Both of them were widowed, poverty-stricken, and, in many ways, tremendously vulnerable. To provide for them, Ruth had found work gleaning in the field of Boaz, a man who showed her respect, praise, and admiration because of the love she had for Naomi. One evening, he sent Ruth home to Naomi with enough food to last two weeks. Each day, Ruth returned to Boaz, carefully following her mother-in-law’s advice and making him aware of his responsibility to them as a close relative. Naomi instructed her to be patient and wait.

I remember a time when I did not wait well. It was the time of year I dreaded: the time when tests would determine whether my cancer had returned. In the weeks leading up to the day of the CT scan and bloodwork, my fear would build, even while doing all the things I knew to do to calm those fears. I would read Scripture, pray, and wait. One year, when the scan was complete, the technician came in and said, “We need to look at one area once more. The image isn’t clear.” Words cannot describe the deep sense of panic that ensued. I was certain something of concern had been seen. Unwilling to wait—needing to take control—I took matters into my own hands and called the oncologist’s office. As it turned out, not only were the scan results normal, but I received a reprimand from the medical assistant for my impatience and for assuming the worst.

As time has passed, I have looked back on this less-than-admirable episode in my life. I have wondered what blessings God might have had for me had I waited. Perhaps I would have experienced what it’s like to know His perfect strength when I was at the end of my own. Perhaps I would have heard Him speak comfort to my heart through His Word. Perhaps His indescribable peace would have overwhelmed my soul, reminding me I am safe in His arms. What did He lovingly want to show me that I forfeited in my need to take control?

How about you? Is it hard for you to wait? Waiting is hard for most of us. Not only do we want to control circumstances, but also to conform them to what we believe is the best outcome. When I look at Scripture, I realize how futile that kind of thinking is. Proverbs tells us that despite our many plans, “the LORD’s purpose will prevail” (19:21 NLT). In Psalm 103, we read that He sits on His throne, and “from there, He rules over everything” (vs. 19b). While this truth might unsettle those of us who like to think we’re in control, we need to hold these verses in tension with what we know about God’s character: “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9 NKJV). He has promised to strengthen, help, and uphold us with His victorious hand (from Isaiah 41:10), to satisfy the longing soul (from Psalm 107:9), and to give His perfect peace to those who fix their thoughts on Him (from Isaiah 26:10).

Returning to our story of Ruth, she did wait patiently, and God worked out His perfect plan. She ultimately married Boaz and conceived a son from whose line King David, Israel’s redeemer, would come. Then, Jesus, the Savior of the world, came through David’s line. Interestingly, God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Ruth, but by its end, we see that He has been powerfully at work behind the scenes in the lives of two vulnerable widows.

Loving Father, You are always at work behind the scenes. Help us to hold the truths of Your sovereignty together with who You are: loving, faithful, trustworthy, and always good. Help us to wait with expectation. Amen.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
so that we may sing for joy to the ends of our lives. (Psalm 90:14)

Judy Wilson

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet

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