Setbacks are Opportunities to See God Work

The story of Ruth is filled with a series of setbacks, but God works everything out for Ruth's best interests because Ruth is a faithful, loving, devoted and Godly woman. Ruth had many reasons for turning back as Orpha did, but instead she was motivated by love, affection and devotion to Naomi.

Famine in Israel sends Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons away from Israel to Moab, a pagan country where these sons meet and marry local Moabite women.

Naomi's husband and sons die, leaving Naomi widowed, with two widowed daughters-in-law for whom she cannot provide. Naomi exhibits selflessness when she urges Orpha and Ruth to leave her.  Up to now, they've been loyal wives and loyal daughters-in-law to a widowed mother-in-law, but now Naomi has nothing to offer them. She has no prospects of a good life, not even the protection of another marriage, since no Jewish men would take pagan women as their wives. These women have a better chance of remarrying if they stay in Moab.

Although Ruth is from a Moabite home where they have many gods, Ruth has been influenced by her Jewish husband and family and has taken on their beliefs in the one true God as her own. She says to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

So, Ruth toils in the fields of Boaz, collecting the grain and threshing it so she and Naomi can have food. This is not easy work. It’s laborious, it’s difficult and entails long hours.

Boaz observes Ruth’s character. He notices how she takes care of her mother-in-law, how she works hard, and how she maintains her purity amongst the men who work the fields, and so, Boaz offers her a respite to eat and drink with the other women. He also instructs the men to respect her, and to leave extra grain in the fields for her to glean.

Ruth goes on to be redeemed by Boaz, marries him, has a son named Obed and Jesus eventually descends from Ruth and Boaz’s lineage.

This story begins with loss and ends in hope. It shows us that God has his hands in what seems to be the setbacks in our lives. But if we persevere in our faithfulness, our devotion, our love, and our service to him, inspite of the difficulties we face, he will bring good out of our bleak circumstances, as Romans 8:28 tells us, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and who are called according to his purpose”.

Yesterday, April 18^th, 2026, marked one year since I was discharged from the hospital. And although I thought that by this time, I would no longer need the aid of a cane to walk short distances, or a rollator for long outings or a transport chair extended treks, inspite of those setbacks, I CAN walk! Although my exercises take up time in my daily routine, I can complete them on my own, without any assistance. I’m so thankful for the small accomplishments, and the big ones too! My family and friends have been so very supportive. My husband does more than his share for me. And God has been ever so faithful in seeing me through everything.

And though we can no longer go on hikes, or bicycle rides, or snowy wintery walks, my husband and I are so very thankful for all the years God has allowed us to enjoy those types of activities together, and we’re looking forward to new ways we’re learning to enjoy the outdoors together.

I can truly say with the writer in the book of Lamentations chapter 3, verses 22-26: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

And I continue to put my hope, trust, and faith in the Lord.

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