You Never Know How It Works but It Works

The Old Testament gives us a quiet God wink through a woman named Ruth and a man named Boaz. It is one of those moments that humbles you when you slow down enough to notice it. Nothing flashy. No lightning bolt. Just God at work through people being who they are.

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” - Ruth 2:11–12 NLT

Reflection

I am thankful for the different devotions and readings that come my way. When I actually take the time to let them sink in, they often lead me deeper into Scripture. That happened today. A verse surfaced, and instead of moving on, I stayed with it and went back to the story behind it.

The book of Ruth is incredible. It is short, easy to read, and worth slowing down for. Ruth had lost her husband, which in that culture was devastating. She could have returned to her own people, but instead she chose loyalty. She stayed with Naomi and became a person of service. No promises. No assurances. Just a decision to be faithful where she was.

Boaz enters the story as a man of means and strong character. His position could have hardened him, but it didn’t. He noticed people. He paid attention. When he sees Ruth, he already knows her story. He knows what she has done and why it matters.

That is what stood out to me.

No one in this story was trying to get something from God. They were simply living faithfully. Doing what was right in front of them. Ruth showed up and served. Naomi kept moving forward. Boaz stayed generous and attentive. Each of them remained grounded in their faith, regardless of circumstance.

And God worked through all of it.

Boaz acknowledges Ruth’s faithfulness and responds to it. Not because he has to, but because faithfulness invites faithfulness. Ruth was never promised a reward, yet her obedience was noticed and it produced fruit far beyond what she could have imagined.

This is often how God works. Quietly. Over time. Through ordinary faithfulness.

So here is the takeaway for me. Live faithfully before God. Do your work. Serve where you are. Pay attention to others. When you see faithfulness in someone else, say something. Encourage it. Maybe even do something for them that they never know about.

That is how we pass along the grace and peace God has given us.

And then there is Jesus, who took this model and magnified it beyond measure.

Imagine that.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for drawing our attention to what truly matters. Thank you for the story of Ruth and Boaz and for preserving it so we can experience it today. Help us to notice others, to live faithfully, and to respond with compassion. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Help us reflect that to others for all the days you give us. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.