How lucky are you? Do you even believe in luck? How many times a day do you think, hear, or say something involving luck or good fortune?
In the book of Ruth, we find a handful of theologically profound and practically rich themes:
1. The Sovereignty/Providence of God
2. Kindness in the Community of the Redeemed
3. Redemption that Looks forward to Christ
4. Salvation for Gentile Believers Only Through the God of Israel
5. Preserving the Royal Blood Line for the Messiah
The writer of Ruth uses certain terms, careful words, in Ruth 2:3 to show the hand of the LORD in the events of the historical narrative ("everyday life" for the people in the story of Ruth). This narrative really helps us understand the theme of the Providence of God better. To get first things first, chapter 1 highlights that the story was not heading in the best direction (death, bereavement, loss, famine, moral decline in leadership, no rest, no security, bitterness, etc.), or so it seemed. Ruth goes to work in the fields and "she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz," her close relative and kinsmen redeemer (2:1, 20; 3:9, 12; 4:4, 9, 10). This was not to her knowledge at all, but it was surely in God's! So I ask you, do we call this luck? Did Ruth stumble across Boaz's path "as chance would have it?" At this point it would be helpful to include a helpful and concise definition of God's Providence:
One definition: “God’s providence is His constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people.” As used in Trusting God, by Jerry Bridges.
One challenge: When you find yourself thinking or saying to someone else, "Good Luck," or "Take Luck" (if you are a Bryan Reagan fanatic;), consider for a moment the sovereignty of God and His providential rule and care over all His creation. Could you possibly insert "God Reigns" in your thoughts or speech, rather than attributing something positive to the lesser deity of "Luck"?
One example: When someone tells you, "Good luck on your exam today!" You might think to yourself, "Well, God reigns. Either way, if I fail it, ace it, get an average grade, brake my leg on the way to the test, the test is postponed, different material is on the test than you covered, etc. God Reigns! He is in absolute control. He constantly cares for you. He has His purposes in mind, so trust Him."
One caveat: Obviously we have a responsibility to "work out [not for] our salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12) before the Sovereign Lord. We are not to put the LORD our God to the test (Deut 6:16) or take His grace for granted (Rom 6:1).
