And Suddenly

Ruth 2:4 (Berean Study Bible)

4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, ‘The Lord be with you!’ ‘The Lord bless you!’ they answered.

Ruth’s story was a tragic one from start to finish. Born as an outsider marrying into an Israelite family, Ruth had few to no real friends in the land of her beloved. Everything about her was different: her background, her culture, and even her gods. Nevertheless, she was willing to forsake everything for the good of her new husband and family.

Then, tragedy struck. All the men in Ruth’s life die soon after her wedding. Her husband, brother in law, and even father in law all pass within a short frame of time, leaving herself and her mother in law completely alone. A famine strikes down crops and food supply systems, crippling the already fragile lands in which they live. Instead of returning home to her blood relatives, Ruth makes the difficult decision to remain with her mother in law Naomi.

With no food, male family members, or a way to make a living wage, the women’s situation becomes dire. Naomi becomes despondent, renaming herself ‘Mara’ (meaning ‘bitter’) to reflect her inner turmoil. Ruth picks for scraps of grain behind harvesters in local fields.

All seems lost for Naomi and Ruth. Nothing short of a miracle can save them.

And suddenly: God appears.

Ruth 2:4 puts this in a slightly different way: “Just then Boaz arrived. . .” The owner of the local field, Boaz takes notice of Ruth and all her hard work. After a loving courtship and kinsman-redeemer processes, Ruth and Boaz are wedded in holy matrimony. The two go on to care for Naomi (now returned to her former name), and raise a son who would one day go on to sire the lineage of King David.

How did Ruth achieve so much success after so much heartache? Was it luck? Chance? Coincidence? Or was it so much more?

The story of Ruth encompasses an important truth that is reflected in all our lives: God shows up. He never leaves us or forsakes us, nor does He abandon us momentarily just to make a point. No matter the troubles you are walking through today, God is with you. It only takes a single phone call, paycheck, text message, or encounter to change your life completely. God provides us with exactly what we need at exactly the right time. We just need to believe it!

Friends, God will show up “Just Then” for you as He did for Ruth. He will care for you and deliver you from your circumstances by the works of His good plan. We need only to look out for His presence!

Closing Thoughts:

What are the “Just Then” moments you need to be fulfilled this week? How can you be the “Just Then” moment in somebody else’s life? Are there certain ideas you have about caring for the struggling in your relational circle? Remember that God always shows up when we need Him most, and suddenly affects our lives in the most incredible of ways. Let’s look for our “Just Then” opportunities today!

Matthew 19:16-17 (New English Standard Version)

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.

Matthew 9:20-22 (Berean Study Bible)

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.