Christian Devotional – March 30, 2019

Then… such a simple word, but it captures such great timing. Things only happen after something else has already happened. We saw yesterday that Naomi waited and had patience. Only after having that level of patience did Naomi begin to act. Read Ruth 3:1.

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
RUTH 3:1 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.1.NASB

Naomi had seen a glimpse of God’s plan. Now, after patiently waiting to pray, to seek God, to look to confirm what that flash of understanding had shown her, now she finally took action. Her first action was seeking to help her daughter-in-law understand. Naomi needed Ruth to recognize that the actions she was going to ask her to take were in Ruth’s best interests. These actions were not going to be about Naomi. These actions were about Ruth.

Maybe that’s why she had to wait. Naomi had not been in a good place mentally when she first returned. She was bitter and angry and upset. But now, after months of waiting and watching and praying, she could start to think of other people besides herself. She came to Ruth with a plan about Ruth, not Naomi.

When we take action, are we taking action to better other people or to better only ourselves? As we see God’s plan and as we are patient to wait on Him, we will see that his plan includes so much more than just our own personal comfort or gain. Our own personal happiness is not the sole reason that God works in us. God sees a much bigger picture than we could ever hope to see, but if we are patient and wait on Him and His timing, we will be able to see it a little clearer than if we rushed in. Are we waiting on God? As we wait on him, are we seeking better understanding on how we can be a positive impact on those around us?