Psalm 37:23 (NKJV): The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
The word 'ordered' here is 'kuwn' in Hebrew, which means 'erected, established, set up, directed, appointed'. See the words 'set up' here? The devil may set up traps/snares for you to fall into (like an innocent animal falling into a trap), but on the other hand, God (who is altogether good) wants to set you up for good things! The Bible says, 'His thoughts for you are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope' (see Jeremiah 29:11).
"But, pastor, I don't think I qualify as a good man (or woman)!"
In Christ, you are! As a believer in the New Covenant, you are good because He is good! As He is, so are you in this world! (1 John 4:17) In other words, you are made good (made righteous) because the Bible says 'He became sin for you, so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him'! (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)
"Is there any example how God can set a person up for good things?"
Definitely! Let's go to the Book of Ruth now.
Have you ever wondered what is the one quality that made Ruth outstanding among many women in her days? And the fact that though she's a foreigner (from the country of Moab) and a mere ordinary citizen in her own country, but of all women, God made her the great grandmother of King David?
I believe she wasn't just a woman of faithfulness (in a time of national faithlessness), but she's also a woman who had the fear of God (i.e. the willingness to submit to Him and allow Him to take the lead every step of the way, instead of twisting/turning His arms and His words according to one's own creative way). That, my friend, is the key to her steps being 'ordered' (established) by the Lord.
Let me explain.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (human mind). In all your ways acknowledge Him'. Proverbs 3:7-8 then follows, 'Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones'. The Bible also says, 'the fear of the Lord prolongs days' (Proverbs 10:27), and 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Proverbs 9:10).
And very often, the wisdom of God may initially seem foolishness to men.
By the way, the name 'Ruth' ('Ruwth' in Hebrew) means 'friend'. A 'friend' is also someone who can talk (whether with God, or with another person) as it is, instead of twisting/turning according to his/her own whim and fancy (or creativity).
Even though Ruth's step (i.e. decision/direction) of following her mother-in-law, Naomi (who had nothing left for her) seemed to be a disadvantaged step to human mind/understanding (see Ruth 1:8-17), this step eventually opened the way for greater things to come for her!
As a matter of fact, I'm sure there were people questioning Ruth's decision (of following her mother-in-law) at that time. Some might even have said, "Why don't you be like Orpah your sister-in-law?" or "Isn't it a better idea to stay back and re-marry?"
A good idea may not be God's idea, and a creative idea may not be the Creator's idea!
Ruth 1:22 then reads, 'So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem (House of Bread) at the beginning of barley harvest'. Ruth 2:1-3 follows, 'There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech (Naomi's late husband). His name is Boaz (means 'pillar' in Hebrew). So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean (pick up) heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech'.
People of God, nothing happens by accident, and everything happens for a reason. See how God began to order Ruth's steps here? Speaking of being in the right place, at the right time, and with the right person! Some people call it 'an appointed time', or 'a divine appointment'.
And as things happened, Ruth later found favor in Boaz's eyes (Ruth 2:8-10). Ruth 2:15-16 then reads, 'And when Ruth rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."' In other words, that was a set up! 'Boaz' is a typology of 'Jesus, your Redeemer'. Today, just as Boaz was to Ruth those days, Jesus wants to do the same to you too! He wants to set you up for many more good things to come! Are you willing?
Here's another instance of Ruth being 'set up' again. Ruth 3:1-4 says, 'Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, ... is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing (tossing) barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do."' How prophetic! And all these did come to pass just as Naomi had said! (see Ruth 3:8-13)
By the way, the name 'Naomi' means 'pleasant' (from the Hebrew word "no'am", meaning 'delight'). Indeed, Naomi had delight in Ruth (and in her ways). So, if 'Boaz' speaks of 'Jesus', then 'Naomi' represents 'the Holy Spirit'! The Spirit of God is a Spirit of prophecy, and He is definitely a pleasant Spirit as well! The Spirit of God also always leads us (and points us) to Jesus, our Bread!
So, how did Ruth respond to Naomi's words and instructions? Ruth 3:5 says, 'And she (Ruth) said to her (Naomi), "All that you say to me I will do."' And the rest, my friend, was history! You may also wish to read the rest of Ruth's story in the Book of Ruth today.
People of God, as you prepare yourself to be 'ordered' (guided, established, set up) by the Lord in this coming new season of yours, I pray Psalm 37:23 to be with you, wherever He leads you to go, and in every step of the way. In Jesus' name. Amen!
