Faith in Action

Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 

I clearly remember the first time I tried a zipline. It was at Glorieta Conference Center in New Mexico. That experience required much courage and trust to put on the harness and step off the platform to dangle and fly through the air at what seemed like record speed. This was especially challenging for someone who is not a fan of heights. Since then, I have enjoyed ziplining many times. And every time I have done it, I have had such a great time. One time, Danette and I went on a Boy Scout trip with Colin to Louisville, where we ziplined for hours in the Louisville Mega Cavern, an underground and dark setting. In all of these times, I had to be willing to take that first step.

Read Ruth 2:1-13. Allow me to tell the story leading up to Ruth 2. Naomi was married to a man named Elimelech. They were Israelites living in Bethlehem with two sons. When a famine hit the land, they decided to move their family to a foreign land, 50 miles away, called Moab. Once they arrived in Moab, the sons met and married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Note: They disobeyed God with the move and by intermarrying with women from another land, but that is a devotion for another week. About 10 years after arriving in Moab, Elimelech died, and then both of the sons died, too. All of this happened in the first five verses of Ruth 1! Naomi gave her daughter-in-laws permission to leave her and find other men to marry and have a family with. Orpah took her up on that, but Ruth vowed to stay with Naomi and to serve her God. Together, the two of them made their way back to Bethlehem, just as the harvest was being gathered. These ladies were penniless with no family. In today’s reading, we find Ruth, a Moabite widow in a foreign land, making a bold decision.  Ruth 2:2 says, Ruth the Moabitess asked Naomi, 'Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?’

Instead of waiting for provision, she takes initiative. She asks Naomi to let her go, not out of desperation, but with faith that she might find favor. Ruth didn’t know Boaz yet. She had no guarantees. But she acted. Her initiative positioned her to receive God's providence. And that is precisely what happened. Not only did she harvest a portion of the grain for herself and Naomi, but she also met Boaz, with whom she ultimately married and had a child. The son was Obed, the grandfather of David, who became King of Israel, and in the lineage of Jesus! Boy, did she find favor!! 

This story speaks volumes about how God honors faith in action. Ruth didn’t manipulate, demand, or strive, and neither did she sit by and wait for God to drop favor in her lap. She simply stepped out with hope and humility. She took initiative. And God met her in the field, arranging her steps so that they intersected with Boaz, a prominent man of kindness and influence.

Taking a step of faith may come with uncertainty. It may require us to step out of our comfort zone. It may go against our logic. It may leave us in a period of waiting. It may make us feel vulnerable. These what-ifs can be paralyzing. But when we are willing to take that step, trust God, and walk with Him in obedience, He is able to work out His plan for our lives. When we allow the what-ifs to take over and prevent us from acting, we may miss out on the blessings that God has in store for us. 

I took a big leap of faith 30 years ago when I applied to work at summer camp, and the Lord opened the door, allowing me to experience five incredible summers of camp. And then, He opened the door for me to work full-time with this same camping ministry. I sit here, 25 years later, overwhelmed by all that I have been able to experience, learn, and accomplish because of those steps of faith. 

There are other examples of this, too, such as getting married, having a family, and choosing a church community. The list could go on and on. However, at the same time, I am sure I have missed opportunities because I decided not to move forward and take action. And, I am sure, even now, that there are things the Lord wants from me. The key is not to focus on missed opportunities but to look back and remember how God has provided in the past, and trust that He will do the same in the future. Like our key verse today says, let us not be hearers only, but rather doers. Put into action the things we have learned, heard, and seen in others. So take the step and hang on for all that God will do!

Call to Action

Is there a step of faith you’ve been hesitant to take? Like Ruth, sometimes favor comes not to those who wait passively, but to those who move with quiet courage and trust in God’s leading. Take this as your challenge to step out and do it!

Are there other areas in your life that you are putting off and not stewarding well? If so, what steps can you take to ‘do’ and not ‘let go’?

Digging Deeper

Read the entire book of Ruth. There are so many lessons to learn and takeaways to apply to life. Check out these other verses: James 1:22, James 2:17, Matthew 7:24, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:6, 1Peter 1:13, 2 Timothy 1:7

Prayer

Lord, help me not only to hear Your Word but to live it, and grant me courage, humility, and a willingness to take initiative, like Ruth. Guide my steps and show me what You want. Help me to walk into the places where Your favor is waiting. Amen.

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens

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