“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz…” – Ruth 2:2-3

Scripture reading: Ruth 2:1-7

In previous meditations we’ve seen the beautiful contours of redemption taking shape. But as it stands right now that redemption isn’t yet complete. Naomi and Ruth are back in Bethlehem and the bakeries are doing good business again. But, unless one of them does something, they are going to go hungry. Without a male in their house, they are still very much on the back foot, socially and economically.

We don’t know why, but it’s Ruth who takes the initiative (verse 2). She makes use of the gleaning laws of “my God.” Off she goes and “gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz” (verse 3).

“She happened to…” The divinely inspired author is being a little cheeky here to make a point. Literally it says “as chance chanced, she came to that part of the field belonging to Boaz.” In today’s language we would say, “as luck would have it.” And we’re supposed to smile and say “Yeah, right! There’s no chance that this is a chance. This is our God at work, divinely directing things.”

It’s a good little lesson, as we watch God work redemption in our lives and in the lives of others. Just like He sovereignly orchestrated every moment of His Son’s life so that He might bring about our redemption, so He sovereignly governs every aspect of our existence to bring about our redemption. And remember, there’s no way that is a chance.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask God to open your eyes to see the many and various ways He is working in your life.

Since 2019, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen has served the Attercliffe Canadian Reformed Church near Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He, his wife, children and grandchildren are deeply grateful for the blessing of daily living under the shelter of God’s wings. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.