Psalm 37:4 (NLT) is a verse that should be imprinted on the minds and hearts of every person with a dream. It tells us, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” This truth sets the priorities of our sojourn on earth, and then it provides the promise of reward for fulfilling our purpose as God’s beloved children. We are to delight not just in Him, but also in our relationship with Heavenly Father. It’s not just about feeling happy in the Lord; it’s about finding joy in His presence, His Will, and His plans for our lives.
This kind of delight means we are fully surrendered to God, trusting that He knows what’s best for us. Now, let me ask you: How many single Christian women truly want to stay single? How many of us desire for God to give us the desires of our hearts? It’s clear that God wants His daughters to be joyful and fulfilled. And if a woman desires a husband, God’s desire is to bless her with a man who will enrich her life. But here’s the thing—there’s a requirement: we must delight in the Lord first.
When a woman’s heart is distracted by the world—whether through work, relationships, or friendships—it’s easy to miss what God is doing. After all, if we’re focused on everything else but God, why would He bless us with a relationship that could take our attention further away from Him? Focusing our hearts and minds on God is what sustains us. It helps us grow closer to Him and keeps us spiritually strong so that we can stand strong amidst any attack of the enemy. Our entire purpose for living is to have oneness with our Heavenly Father as we follow the example of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. God knows that if we are not spiritually mature enough to always prioritize our relationship with Him, our significant relationships will ultimately fail.
Sometimes, women complain about there not being enough good men out there. But the truth is, that’s not the problem at all. Philippians 4:19 (NLT) reminds us, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Long before you were born, God took care of your every need. We have received all these wonderful blessings because of our union with Christ. Because of our blessed Savior, we can have confidence that our Heavenly Father has taken care of all the details concerning our marriages. Increasing our faith in this truth and seeking God’s Will for our lives are the spiritual practices that delight the Father.
We can’t focus on ourselves or put all our focus on the man that’s in our lives if we’re delighting in our relationship with God. When we do this, our eyes will not even see an opportunity that positions us for the desire of our hearts. So, failing to delight in God is the real issue that separates us from what God has already provided.
In the Old Testament story of Ruth and Naomi, both women were widowed, and Ruth, a Moabite, chose to stay with her Israelite mother-in-law rather than return to her own people. Ruth’s loyalty, humility, and kindness toward Naomi were a sweet fragrance to God, as she chose to care for Naomi instead of pursuing her own future. Ruth’s faithfulness led her to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, who showed her kindness and expressed a desire to redeem her. After Ruth meets with Boaz, Ruth 3:16-18 (NLT), tells us, “16 When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?” Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, 17 and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”
Notice Naomi’s words: “The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.” As single women, there’s a tremendous amount of timeless wisdom we can glean from this. Boaz wasn’t going to waste time. He saw Ruth’s value, and he was determined to make things right. A good man of God will do the same. When he meets the woman that God has ordained to walk with him through life, he won’t rest until he’s settled matters of the heart. He will pursue a woman with purpose and commitment.
Now, here’s a hard truth: for many independent, self-reliant women, the idea of letting a man lead can be difficult to accept. We’ve been conditioned to be strong, successful, and capable—sometimes to the point where it makes us feel like we don’t need anyone. But God’s design for marriage doesn’t diminish the woman’s strength or role—it actually honors both partners in different ways. God created both men and women with purpose, and there’s strength in allowing the man to lead in a way that honors God.
All of us need to model Ruth’s loyalty, humility, patience, and her willingness to serve. She learned how to honor God by listening to her mother-in-law. It was that very faithfulness that led to her being blessed with a man who would not rest until the matter was settled. Ruth didn’t rush the process; she allowed God’s timing to unfold, knowing that Boaz’s pursuit was part of God’s plan.
Colossians 3:15 (NLT) tells us, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” When we allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts, we trust in God’s timing and His plan for our lives. This means letting go of impatience and focusing on the peace that comes from Christ.
When a woman delights in the Lord, she becomes attuned to His voice and has peace, trusting that the right man will come at the right time. A woman who delights in the Lord understands that she doesn’t have to chase after a man; the right man will pursue her, just as Boaz pursued Ruth. Be confident that if your focus is on God, and you’re trusting Him and delighting in Him, you can be sure that He will bring a man who will not rest until your relationship is settled. Like Boaz, the right man will pursue you with a commitment that honors God. ■
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Right Man Won’t Rest Until It’s Settled” written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.