At His Feet: Ruth’s Obedience to God in the Unknown
- secretplacefaith
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
When Stepping Out in Faith Feels Impossible
Christian sister, are you struggling to pull up the courage to step out in faith? Does your future feel like it's stuck in limbo? What situation are you struggling to trust God through?
If you haven’t read my devotion on Ask, Seek, Knock, you can find it here as a companion to this message.
Today we will look at the depth of Ruth’s trust in her mother-in-law and in the God who changed her eternity. Ruth stood in the face of uncertainty and walked into an unknown future with more courage than I would have had.
Ruth’s Story: Sorrow, Loyalty, and a New Beginning
The story of Ruth’s life is one of the saddest yet most beautiful in the Bible. Her journey started with deep sorrow but ended with great triumph. Now we will focus on the threshingfloor and Ruth's obedience.
In Ruth chapter three Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, says, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” This statement is filled with much love and care. “My daughter” shows a closeness that had grown through the years between these two women. Most likely the reason Ruth trusted the instruction without hesitation that Naomi gave.
Naomi tells Ruth to “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.” Ruth 3:3–4
Ruth’s Beautiful Obedience to God
Ruth responds with the most beautiful expression of obedience. “And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.” Ruth 3:5–7
This level of obedience to God is never easy. A moment like this in one's life requires us to trust God fully and walk toward something we cannot see while remembering He sees all.
I can't imagine how heavy this moment must have been for Ruth. I often think about the thoughts that must have been running through Ruth’s head as she made her way to the threshingfloor that day, but Ruth did exactly as Naomi instructed her to do. These actions were full of care and respect for her mother-in-law.
Facing the Unknown With Faith
The uncertainty in this step would have caused a cascade of emotions for anyone. No doubt, Ruth was faced with overwhelming fear of an unknown future. She had no idea how Boaz would choose to respond to this bold act when he found her at his feet. Yet, she was obedient, faithful, and true to her word.
“And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know
another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” Ruth 3:14–18
What Ruth Found at Boaz’s Feet
What Ruth found at Boaz’ feet changed her life.
She found kindness and concern: “Let it not be known that a woman came to the floor.”
She found provision and hope: “Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it… he measured six measures of barley.”
She found blessing and grace: “And her mother in law… blessed her, saying, Blessed be thou of the LORD.”
She found the endearment of a mother: “my daughter.”
The Blessing That Follows Obedience to God
The doors of Ruth’s future opened because of her obedience and trust she had in the God of her mother-in-law. The final outcome was still to be revealed, but Ruth and Naomi left the results in God’s trustworthy hands. They leave us with the beautiful example of trust, obedience, surrender, and continuing faith.
I picture Ruth lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling of the humble room she had grown to call home. The events of her life rolled over in her mind as she waited for the God of her mother-in-law to respond. Eyes wide open, sleep far in the distant hours that lay ahead.
What Do You Need to Lay at Jesus’ Feet?
We all have something big or small we need to take to Jesus’ feet. Mine is sickness, what is yours. Today we can do as Ruth did. No more procrastinating. No more excuses. Just obedience to God, surrender, and faith in the one true God who holds our future in His blessed hands.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY IN PRAYER
This post is just a starting point. If you would like to read more like this devotion and continue exploring the beautiful depths of prayer as I have learned through every aspect of my life, my Secret Place devotional series is what you have been searching for.
These books open up the innermost parts of my prayer life, offering reflections and guidance to help you in your own journey of deep intimacy with God as He has taught me.
From a tiny paperclip to the roots of a tree deep in the soil, God’s fingerprints are everywhere. It is easy to overlook the simple, mundane, everyday things in life that God uses to guide us into a closer walk with Him.
No matter what season you’re in, the promise of God’s word is still true: God hears, God answers, and God opens doors.
👉 Begin your journey here:
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