And she went and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. Ruth 2:3
One day in the 1930s in the city of Detroit, a man named Joseph Figlock was walking down a street when a baby fell from an upper-storey window and landed on him. Both the baby and Mr. Figlock survived the incident. Incredibly, a year later, Mr. Figlock was walking down the same street when the same baby fell out the same window and landed on him. As before, both survived. This is listed as one of the most amazing coincidences listed on the Oddee Web site. And it would certainly be hard to top. As Christians, we could also tell some stories of some amazing series of events, but we would not be able to call them coincidences, because, on the path of faith, there are no coincidences, there is the hand of God.
Did you notice the little word ‘hap’ in today’s text? The world would see this as a fascinating coincidence. It was not. The word ‘hap’ actually means ‘that which she met with’. And why did Ruth meet with a portion of the field that belonged to Boaz? Because God directed her there. As a dutiful and diligent daughter in law, Ruth ventured forth in search of whatever was necessary to sustain herself and Naomi. She had but short days earlier made a lifelong commitment to God and to His people. And, functioning within God’s nation, she was guided by Him along a path that would lead to blessing. That path was placed before her by the God in whom she was prepared to trust. Gleaning was hard work, and the pay was meagre, but Ruth put her energy into the work. And the rest, as they say, is history. We learn very practical lessons from Ruth’s example.
What has God given you to do? Is it as boring and strenuous as gleaning? Not likely. So what are you waiting for? Put your shoulder to the wheel and get to work at what God has placed in front of you. Whatever path God provides always leads to the very best for us, even if it doesn’t always seem like it. Ask some of God’s old soldiers, some of the faithful brothers and sisters who have been doing their best for years to build up and maintain God’s testimony, and see what they have to say about serving their Lord. They will agree with Ruth.
There are no coincidences on the path of faith. But there is the hand of God. Allow His hand to guide you. -Jim MacIntosh