“Ruth is my favorite book,” my second-grade reading friend Lauren said, “because it has a happy ending.” It does indeed.

The Old Testament book of Ruth tells us about the journey to the happy ending. It is a story about another woman, also central to the story, Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth. Before we get to the happy ending, we read about struggle, loss, and brokenness. It tells us of Naomi’s doubt about God’s love for her because of all she went through. We learn from Ruth the outcome of devotion for one in need: kindness, respect, submission, obedience, service, and trust.

Naomi returned to the land of Judah after the famine there had ended. It was 10 years later. She came back a woman who had lost her husband and both sons while living in Moab. Naomi said on her return that she should no longer be called Naomi (meaning pleasant) but Mara (bitter, sorrowful) for the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her. “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:20-21).

Yet, Naomi was not empty and God had not forsaken her. God had provided a daughter-in-law, Ruth, who loved her and refused to stay behind in her homeland. She was determined to go with Naomi and care for her since Naomi was alone.

Ruth was a Moabite woman Naomi’s son had married. She told Naomi “Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Once back in Bethlehem, it was up to Ruth to provide for the two of them, as Naomi was aged. Naomi directed Ruth in what she should do and we see the hand of God begin to move.

Ruth did everything just as Naomi said, never questioning. And, the “happy ending” is that Ruth marries a good man, Boaz, a Redeemer Kinsman, and this union preserves the family name. It provides Naomi with a grandson, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David. The lineage of Jesus unfolds and Naomi is a part of this beautiful story. Not only does the Almighty provide for Naomi’s care, but her name is forever remembered in biblical history.

Most of us have been at a time when we thought all was lost. We wondered if God had forgotten or rejected us. David called out “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1) Many times we read in the Psalms where David questioned God, asking when He would rescue him. Yet even with his doubting, we know God said that David was a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22).

We must never give up hope when we cannot see the answer to our prayers. God is always with His children and forever will be. In most cases, we eventually see God’s plan and that it is better than anything we could have ever imagined to ask for. However, there are some things we will only understand in Heaven. Still, we trust, for we can rest assured in Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.

All scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible. I encourage you to read the book of Ruth for full background in any translation.