Read Ruth 4:1-22.

At the end of Ruth, God’s hand at work can be seen clearly. Ruth has married Boaz, and the couple has had a baby boy: Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Out of Naomi’s grief over the loss of Elimelek and their sons came the royal family line from which our Savior would be born. From the broken pieces of her life came repentance and redemption.

If you know that you are living under the loving hand of the sovereign God, then you will be able to live above the temporary setbacks. You will be able to live without wallowing in regret and wondering what might have been.

With an eternal perspective, you will see the hand of God at work despite the detours and delays you face. And that, my friends, will keep you from sinking into sorrow and becoming bitter. It will keep you out of the muck of self-pity, too. When you remain focused on the God of the impossible, you’ll find unexplainable peace.

Naomi’s perspective on God gave her hope despite shattered dreams. It led her to trust that God’s provision, providence, and promises would pull her through her despair. Naomi’s perspective on the Lord ultimately led her to the joy of holding the grandfather of King David in her arms. Likewise, you can have hope even when the future is unknown as you trust the God who holds the world in His hands, the God who loves you so much that He did not spare even His own Son. Tell yourself the Gospel, and let it lift you up in troubling times.

The story of your life isn’t over yet. God is still at work, redeeming and restoring. One day, you will be able to look back and see all that He has done. There’s no telling how many lives you will touch if you yield yourself completely to the Lord.

Naomi made a decision to repent and return to Bethlehem. Ruth made a choice to stay with her mother-in-law, thereby placing her trust in Yahweh. From those two acts of daring humility, God planted a beautiful family tree from which came Obed, Jesse, King David, and, many, many years later, the Lord Jesus Christ. When God is at work in a person’s life, there’s no limit to what He can do.

Prayer: Lord, there is no limit to what You can do in my life. Help me to remember this Truth—to trust that You are at work to redeem, restore, and renew. May the circumstances I am going through draw others to You as I rest in Your sovereignty. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon A Match Made in Heaven, Part 4: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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