Stay Rooted

Mar 13, 2025·By Bongiwe Mthembu

"Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens." Ruth 2:8 (KJV)

Many of us are familiar with the story of Ruth the Moabitess, Naomi's daughter in-law who followed her mother in-law leaving her land and family behind. Ruth is an example of a humble, contrite woman of God. She displayed constancy and unfeigned loyalty. When she and Naomi got to Bethlehem it was in the beginning of barley harvest, so Ruth decided to glean ears of corn. She came to a certain field that belonged to a man called Boaz. When this man saw her, he inquired or asked about her from his workers. Boaz started talking to her and showed her kindness. Our opening verse shows us one of the things he said to her, "...do not glean in another field or leave this one, but stay close by my maidens."

This was a clear instruction that Boaz gave to Ruth, an instruction that if she didn't follow would have made her miss what God had in store for her. Verse 28 of the same chapter tells us that Ruth kept close to the maidens of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. Ruth could have grown tired of gleaning in the same field and following the maidens of Boaz for the whole harvest season. She could have decided to explore another field, and just maybe someone there would show her kindness. But she didn't go to any other field she remained where she was told to remain and gleaned until the end of the harvest.

You see, some of us aren't as patient and constant like Ruth. The Lord might have told us to be in a particular place for a certain period of time to do something there, but because we have gotten tired of the wait or met with unpleasant circumstances, we decide to leave. We become impatient, and wonder how it would be like to glean in another field or just perhaps we could heap up more than what we are getting where we are. Unknowingly, we leave our placement and purpose. We leave God's perfect will for our lives and miss what God has in store for us. If Ruth didn't keep fast to the maidens of Boaz and gleaned in his field, she would have missed her blessing. She would have missed the opportunity of favor and grace and could have never had Boaz marry her. Because of her patience, constancy and faithfulness, she became a part of the genealogy of Christ, although she was a stranger and a foreigner; even though her pursuit wasn't marriage, but to serve and remain with her mother in-law; she had to keep her word.

Where is it that God has called you to? Has He told you not to go anywhere else, but remain where you are, and just maybe you don't even know what the end will be like? Are you becoming a little bit impatient and maybe you're beginning to wonder how gleaning in another field would be like? Are you in a job, business field, church, neighborhood or marriage where you believe God has led you to and instructed you to remain and not go else where? If so, I encourage you to remain there because the safest place you could ever be in is in God's perfect will. Just like Boaz warned or charged his young men not to bother Ruth, so has God charged the devil and his cohorts not to come near you; they've got nothing on you, for you are safe in Him. You must therefore remain where God has called you to be for there is blessedness in doing so and therein is God's best for you.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for you know the thoughts you have towards me, they're thoughts not to harm me, but thoughts to give me peace and an expected end. As I remain where you've called me to, as I remain in my placement and purpose I trust that you perfect all that concerns me. I pay close attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow His leading as He leads me in your perfect will and cause me to inherit substance. I will remain in your perfect will for therein I am safe and therein is Your best for me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.