The Lord Will Direct Your Steps
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 06/28/2026
Foundation Scriptures:
Ruth 1:1-22
A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9 AMPC
1. It Came to Pass.
a. Ruth 1:1–2
b. The phrase “it came to pass in the days” is used five times in Scripture, and denotes a season of trouble, followed by God’s deliverance and a happier ending (Ruth 1:1; Genesis 14:1; Esther 1:1; Isaiah 7:1; Jeremiah 1:3).
c. Elimelech means “My God is King.”
d. Naomi means “pleasant” or “my delight.”
e. Mahlon means “sick” and Chilion means “pining.”
f. Ephrath (Ephratah) was the ancient name of Bethlehem.
g. Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehem to escape famine, intending a temporary stay in Moab, but they remained there for a long time, turning a temporary situation into a permanent one.
2. Unexpected Situations.
a. Ruth 1:3–7
b. Elimelech died unexpectedly, leaving Naomi with her two sons, who married Moabite women: Orpah (gazelle) and Ruth (friendship).
c. Ten years later, both sons died, leaving the three widows with no support.
d. When Naomi heard the famine in Bethlehem had ended, she decided to return home.
e. Life often forces unexpected adjustments, but God still has a plan.
f. He knows the end from the beginning, what lies ahead, and has already made provision.
g. When obstacles or crossroads arise, don’t rush to find your own solution.
h. Stop and seek the Lord’s direction.
3. The Lord Does Not Change His Mind.
a. God gives your life direction, even when the route changes.
b. Challenges are thrown up in front of us, and we must be able to adjust.
c. It could be an obstacle, or a detour, or a life-altering situation.
d. What looks like a detour is not necessarily a change of destination.
e. Don’t miss the signs leading back to God’s path, or you’ll remain stuck off course.
f. Sometimes the detour is God’s appointed route, and your faithfulness could turn a detour into a shortcut.
g. Isaiah 45:13a KJV –– I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways…
h. You plan your way, but God directs your steps.
i. Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV –– O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
4. The Lord Will Direct Your Steps.
a. Ruth 1:8–18
b. Naomi didn’t realize that God was leading her home.
c. She believed she had lost everything, but God had not abandoned His plan.
d. Feeling she had nothing to offer them, she urged Orpah and Ruth to return home.
e. Neither of them wanted to go back, but Orpah allowed herself to be persuaded to return.
f. Be careful about taking advice or direction from someone who has lost hope.
g. Be careful that you do not allow pressure to cause you to make a wrong decision.
h. Let your faith—not your fear—be your guide.
i. Never allow a temporary setback to become a permanent one by a wrong choice.
j. Ruth chose to move forward.
k. She remained committed to Naomi, to Naomi’s God, and to whatever future He had for them.
5. Sympathy or Compassion?
a. Ruth 1:19–22
b. Naomi returned to Bethlehem bitter, believing the Lord had dealt harshly with her.
c. She said she left full but returned empty and asked to be called Mara.
d. Sometimes, like Naomi, when we encounter a sympathetic ear, we take the opportunity to verbalize and unload all the negativity we are carrying.
e. Words have power—do not agree with negativity.
f. When people are angry or hurt, sympathy alone is not enough.
g. What they need is compassionate encouragement that points them to hope, faith, and God’s goodness.
h. Be compassionate without agreeing with doubt and unbelief.
i. Speak the truth in love, reminding people that God is not finished with them.
j. Because of His grace and mercy, we always have hope and a future.
6. The Lord’s Purpose.
a. Naomi could not see it yet, but God was directing every step.
b. His plan was never Moab—it was Bethlehem.
c. Through Ruth, Naomi became part of the lineage of King David and ultimately the Messiah.
d. She was not going backward; she was moving into God’s purpose.
e. No matter how your circumstances appear, God has a purpose for your life.
f. Stay faithful, maintain the right attitude, and continue to follow Him.
g. Like Naomi and Ruth, you may never fully understand the impact of your obedience in this life, but in eternity you will see the fruit of every faithful step.