Project Description

2013/05

A Word To Women

“Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall.” (Ruth 3:18)

Are things going well for you just now?  Do you sail happily on the sea of life with just the odd ripple threatening to spoil a smooth journey?  Or are you facing the storms of life, fearful that the ship is beginning to take in too much water and that it may eventually sink?

Seasons of personal anxiety and stress cause every one of us to react to, and deal with, situations differently.  Some try to listen to all the (well-meaning) wise advice given, and, after sifting through it, take what they feel is most appropriate for their situation.  Others panic, acting on impulse and completely disregarding any advice received.

If you find yourself in such turmoil, as a child of God, your first ‘port of call’ must be your Heavenly Father.  As a favourite old hymn says:

In times like these we need the Saviour
In times like these we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock.

However, God also puts people who are wise and trustworthy in our path so that we can go to them for counsel.  One example is found in Ruth 3.  Naomi and Ruth had left Moab and arrived in Bethlehem, but now they are poor and in need of help.  God overrules the circumstances for Ruth, and she ends up working for Boaz, who notices her and does what he can to make life easier and better for her.  Naomi, of course, is thrilled when she learns that Boaz is the very man who can marry Ruth and take care of her and Naomi.  So, according to the custom of the day, Naomi advises Ruth on the best course of action.  

What Ruth doesn’t do is run immediately to a neighbour’s house and say, ‘Naomi thinks I should do this…what do you think?’, and then talk about it for hours!  No, even though Ruth may not understand fully, she calmly follows Naomi’s advice.  Having done what was required of her, Ruth returned to Naomi who went on to say, wisely, “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall” (Ruth 3:18).  ‘What?  Sit back and do nothing?  Don’t take matters into my own hands?  Don’t say this and don’t try that?’  Exactly, sit still.  Ruth’s situation was now in the hands of Boaz, the only one who could do anything about the matter.  Surely this is a gentle picture of the Lord’s dealings with us.  We do what is required of us, then we leave it all in the Lord’s hands. We can rest assured that He will deal with it in His way and in His time.

Isaiah the prophet knew this was the answer when the people drove themselves to distraction trying to get matters sorted by their own endeavours.  He said,  “Their strength is to sit still” (Isaiah 30:7).

“Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.”  Elisabeth Elliot

Karen Murray