In the story of Ruth, God's providence is evident in the ordinary events of life. Naomi's return to Bethlehem and Ruth's conversion were not accompanied by miraculous signs but were the result of everyday decisions and circumstances. This narrative reminds us that God is actively working in the mundane aspects of our lives, guiding us toward His divine purposes. We often look for grand gestures or miraculous interventions, but God's presence is often found in the subtle and ordinary moments. By recognizing His hand in the everyday, we can find comfort and assurance that He is always with us, orchestrating our lives for His glory and our good. [06:09]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: What ordinary event in your life can you see God's hand in today, and how does that change your perspective on your current circumstances?
Day 2: Choices Within God's Plan
The narrative of Ruth and Naomi highlights the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. While Naomi and Ruth made their own choices, God's overarching plan was at work, orchestrating events for a greater purpose. This teaches us that our decisions matter, but they are part of a larger divine plan that we may not fully understand. It challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty while taking responsibility for our actions, knowing that He is weaving together the threads of our lives for His glory and our ultimate good. [09:09]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: What decision are you facing today, and how can you trust that God is working through it for a greater purpose?
Day 3: The Depth of True Commitment
Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her God was not based on convenience or personal gain. Her decision involved leaving her homeland and embracing an uncertain future. This challenges us to consider the cost of our own commitments to God and to follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of the circumstances. True commitment requires sacrifice and a willingness to step into the unknown, trusting that God will lead us and provide for us along the way. [37:35]
"And Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:62, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to deepen your commitment to God, and what steps can you take today to do so?
Day 4: Faith in the Midst of Trials
Naomi's journey was marked by loss and bitterness, yet she remained faithful to God. Her story encourages us to hold onto our faith, even when life is difficult and God's plans seem unclear. It is in these moments that our trust in God's character and promises is most crucial. By maintaining our faith amidst adversity, we can find strength and hope, knowing that God is with us and will ultimately bring about redemption and restoration. [01:02:08]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you hold onto your faith in a current trial, and what promise of God can you cling to for hope and strength?
Day 5: New Beginnings Through God's Providence
The arrival of Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest symbolizes a new beginning orchestrated by God. Despite Naomi's initial blindness to God's providence, this marks the start of a redemptive journey that would lead to the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ. This narrative reminds us that God is always at work, bringing about new beginnings and opportunities for redemption, even when we cannot see it. By trusting in His providence, we can embrace the new beginnings He offers and step into the future with hope and confidence. [01:05:08]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: What new beginning might God be orchestrating in your life, and how can you embrace it with faith and hope today?
Sermon Summary
In the Book of Ruth, we witness the profound workings of God's providence, especially in the context of salvation. This narrative is not just a historical account but a reflection of how God orchestrates events in our lives, often through ordinary circumstances, to fulfill His divine purposes. Naomi's journey from Moab back to Bethlehem, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, is a testament to God's unseen hand guiding their steps. Despite the hardships and losses Naomi faced, including the death of her husband and sons, God's providence was at work, leading Ruth, a Moabite woman, to embrace the God of Israel.
Ruth's declaration of loyalty to Naomi and her God is a pivotal moment, showcasing her genuine conversion and commitment. Her words, "Where you go, I will go; your people will be my people, and your God my God," signify a profound spiritual transformation and a desire to be part of God's covenant community. This decision was not based on the promise of material blessings or an easy life but on a deep conviction and faith in the God of Israel.
The story of Ruth and Naomi illustrates the intersection of human responsibility and divine sovereignty. While individuals make choices, God's overarching plan is at work, weaving together the threads of our lives for His glory and our ultimate good. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's providence, even when circumstances seem bleak or confusing. It reminds us that God's purposes are often hidden but always perfect, leading to redemption and restoration.
Key Takeaways
1. God's Providence in Ordinary Life: The story of Ruth shows that God's providence often operates through ordinary events and decisions. Naomi's return to Bethlehem and Ruth's conversion were not marked by miraculous signs but by everyday choices and circumstances. This reminds us that God is at work in the mundane aspects of our lives, guiding us toward His purposes. [06:09]
2. Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty: The narrative highlights the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. While Naomi and Ruth made choices, God's hand was orchestrating events for a greater purpose. This teaches us that our decisions matter, but they are part of a larger divine plan that we may not fully understand. [09:09]
3. The Cost of True Commitment: Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her God was not based on convenience or personal gain. Her decision involved leaving her homeland and embracing an uncertain future. This challenges us to consider the cost of our own commitments to God and to follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of the circumstances. [37:35]
4. Faith Amidst Adversity: Naomi's journey was marked by loss and bitterness, yet she remained faithful to God. Her story encourages us to hold onto our faith, even when life is difficult and God's plans seem unclear. It is in these moments that our trust in God's character and promises is most crucial. [62:08]
5. A New Beginning Through God's Providence: The arrival of Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest symbolizes a new beginning orchestrated by God. Despite Naomi's initial blindness to God's providence, this marks the start of a redemptive journey that would lead to the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ. [01:05:08] ** [65:08]
What prompted Naomi to decide to return to Bethlehem from Moab, and who accompanied her on this journey? ([01:12])
How did Ruth express her commitment to Naomi and the God of Israel, and what was the significance of her declaration? ([03:18])
What was Naomi's reaction upon returning to Bethlehem, and how did she describe her experiences in Moab? ([03:55])
How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's providence through the story of Ruth and Naomi? ([05:41])
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the story of Ruth and Naomi illustrate the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty? Consider how their choices and God's plan intersected. ([09:09])
In what ways does Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her God challenge our understanding of true commitment and faith? How does this relate to the cost of following God? ([37:35])
How does Naomi's journey from Moab to Bethlehem symbolize a new beginning through God's providence, despite her initial blindness to it? ([01:05:08])
How does the sermon use the example of Judas' betrayal to explain the intersection of human actions and God's predetermined plan? ([09:09])
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Application Questions:
Reflect on a time when you felt God's providence in ordinary events in your life. How did this experience shape your faith and trust in God's plan? ([06:09])
Ruth's commitment to Naomi was not based on personal gain. What are some commitments in your life that require you to trust God without expecting immediate rewards? How can you strengthen these commitments? ([37:35])
Naomi faced significant adversity and loss. How do you maintain your faith when circumstances seem bleak or confusing? What practices help you hold onto God's promises during difficult times? ([01:02:08])
Consider the role of human responsibility in God's divine plan. How do you discern when to take action and when to trust in God's sovereignty in your decision-making process? ([09:09])
Naomi's return to Bethlehem marked a new beginning. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to start anew? What steps can you take to embrace this new beginning? ([01:05:08])
How can you be more aware of God's providence in the mundane aspects of your life? Identify one ordinary event this week where you can intentionally look for God's hand at work. ([06:09])
Reflect on the cost of true commitment to God. Are there areas in your life where you need to make sacrifices to follow God more wholeheartedly? What practical steps can you take to make these sacrifices? ([37:35])
Sermon Clips
I believe the rest of chapter one that we haven't dealt with in the two previous weeks I believe it deals with God's hand in the normal things of life not the supernatural the normal that are connected directly with someone's salvation either in them rejecting it or receiving it. [00:05:51]
Do you know what Jesus Jesus is saying here, the son of man is going to go the direction it's determined, now we're determined means determined by the father determined by God cry Christ knew he was going to go the way that his heavenly father had determined who determined the cross it was Christ who determined the crucifixion The Suffering The Darkness the Betrayal. [00:07:37]
You know what someone had to betrayed Christ but it didn't have to be Judas it doesn't have to be you but someone is going to do it they're gonna sell Christ out and and yet in the midst of that Christ actually says but it was determined it wasn't Judas determinant our pilate or the religious Pharisees it wasn't them or Herod or Pilot you know how it was it was God determining us. [00:09:20]
I believe Providence is connected with salvation all the way through the Bible God is working secretly hiddenly hidden in a hidden way in normal events to reach out to every person in Salvation and the cross is the example of that normal events wicked men making decisions doing bad things normal things happening soldiers on duty at the cross for criminals and yet God's hand is upon us. [00:13:27]
Look at the initial events in this story that we've already dealt with last week look at the people the circumstance the famine their Journey their decisions the unlikely steps that they begin to make the perchance happenings of life are the normal incidental events that happen in all of our lives that lead you to those either who are going to give you the gospel are lead to to people you're going to give the gospel to. [00:15:09]
Do you know as a Christian your actions will impact a daughter-in-law or a daughter or a son or a father or a mother when you are in Moab and you hear there's bread to be found and you begin to arise to make a journey I want bread I want to go back to the house of bread you're going to affect Sinners lives around you. [00:25:23]
You see many start out in the right direction who do not continue I want you to hear this so carefully the right path of Providence God's Providence is at work now these three ladies are churning it's the right path it's God's path God's will is in this they are walking together down this path and it's got everything to do with returning. [00:32:31]
Do you realize how hard this path is how narrow do you see it's a place of decision you know an evangelism where you go it's three steps to get you saved you know it's easy to get saved do you believe in heaven yes do you believe in hell yes do you want to be saved yes let's say a little sinner's prayer there you're saved and if you ever doubted it was the devil. [00:47:01]
Do you realize here in this story Naomi doesn't realize how much God is using her no outward blessing no joy on her face but she does have faith in a real God and God is going to use her an extraordinary way and has done let's see where the real converts are and verse 14 and they lifted up their voice and they wept again. [00:51:37]
And Ruth said, and treat me not to leave thee or to return from following after they for whether thy ghost I will go and whether thy lodges I will Lodge thy people shall be my people and thy God Elohim shall be my God where thou diast I will die and there will I be buried and the Lord that's Jehovah the Lord do so to me and more also if odd but death part they and me. [00:55:37]
Do you realize Naomi uses a name for God she hasn't used yet it's been all about Yahweh the god of the Jews no she says For the First Time The Almighty had dealt bitterly with me the almighty El Shaddai do you know each of the names of God Reveals His character he his character so amazing God uses different names to reveal himself it's all the one same true God but all these names describe something about him. [01:00:28]
Do you realize how blind she was she could see God she knew the character of God but she's blind to Providence and better God's Affleck to me it's all bad I've got a rough life ahead do you really have you forgotten about one thing you've got Ruth here she is it's a new beginning an absolute new start God's about to intervene in dramatic ways unusual ways to open up a whole new story but she cannot see it. [01:02:08]