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PROGRAM D-8475
I think all of us have been tempted to manipulate—and found out that manipulation usually backfires on us! We’ve been exploring this “manipulation temptation,” and have looked at two Bible women: Sarah, who tried to manipulate her situation, and ended up with one big mess; and Ruth, who found herself in difficult circumstances, but refused to manipulate and allowed God to work it out for her.
When we refuse to manipulate and choose instead to trust God, we release God’s ability to work on our behalf. When Boaz saw Ruth, he said to her, “The Lord bless you, my daughter. . . You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, . . .I will do for you all you ask…” (Ruth 3:10-11).
If Ruth had tried to manipulate and find her own husband, she would have missed Boaz. She could have married someone else, no doubt, but there was only one Boaz, and through Boaz she gave birth to the grandfather of King David. When we manipulate, we often prevent God from blessing us and miss some wonderful things he has in store for us.
Ruth didn’t look for easy answers. I’m sure Ruth didn’t enjoy the hard work in the fields, but she hung in. I’m sure she didn’t like being poor, but she endured it. It was humbling; it was tiring; it was no fun. But she obeyed and endured. God was then able to bless her above and beyond anything she had ever dared dream.
Ruth trusted the God of her mother-in-law, Naomi, and believed he would deliver them from their dire situation—and God proved true to his Word. Even while gleaning those fields, with no idea of how God was going to deliver her, she resisted the temptation to manipulate and run after a man herself.
There are probably some single people who need to hear this loud and clear, because you’ve been trying to manipulate and run after some man or woman just so you can be married. Let me tell you—that is trouble looking for a place to happen! I’ve seen so many single people fall into this “manipulation temptation,” and spend the rest of their lives regretting it.
Also, Ruth was willing to wait. She didn’t know when God would deliver her but, in the meantime, she remained faithful and did what she could do. Boaz was watching her all that time as she gleaned the fields, and she never knew it. God’s answer was there, waiting for God’s timing, and Ruth waited on the Lord.
I hope the story of these two women, Sarah and Ruth, will remind you of how much better it is to trust God than to try to manipulate.