15th Feb 26 pm ~ Trusting God

One of the few convictions or one of the bigger convictions I've had since serving here at Los Angeles Baptist is that we come to know our bibles well enough that we know where to turn in our time of need. And I hope that Ruth will be one of those books that we'd turn to when we need to see that everything is gonna be okay, even when we've got no idea what is going on and we don't much feel in control. In fact, it's a much shorter way to do it than the book of Job, but there are similar themes, although Job pulls out a lot more in the sense of suffering. Ruth really is the reminder that God is doing something wonderful, and he involves us so that we might play a part. [00:09:29] (42 seconds)  #TurnToRuth

Your life matters. Sometimes it's good just to hear that, to be reminded of that. There's a purpose. Things might seem to be falling apart. There's a purpose. There's never a point when your life isn't worth being lived. Your days are numbered not by you, but by the lord. And he makes you with intention. He makes you with purpose. And somehow, we have a savior who is willing to weave our lives into his great salvation plan. [00:35:10] (38 seconds)  #YourLifeMatters

It's true, isn't it? Some people's lives seem so bitter compared to others. I think of a few people even in our own church who just seem to face trial after trial. They never get a break, and some of those trials go on for the rest of their lives, and life just seems to be so brutal to some. But the point of Ruth is to remind us, God is not finished with us yet, and a future glorious coming that is greater than everything we face now. One day, all things will be redeemed. All things will be restored in his glory. [00:24:38] (41 seconds)  #HopeBeyondSuffering

Now just hear that, please. That is not saying that your suffering doesn't matter. It's saying that our suffering will not be worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in the future. God isn't saying your suffering doesn't matter. He's saying one day, you're gonna see that suffering in the perspective of the immeasurable glory of God. [00:22:20] (28 seconds)  #GloryOutweighsSuffering

What does all that mean? Well, it's it's the same story. It's the same historic event told from two different angles, isn't it? And wonderfully, while all this rebellion was going on, while all these poor decisions were going on amongst good decisions too, God was sovereignly working his plan into the life of Boaz and Ruth and Naomi. [00:40:18] (31 seconds)  #GodAtWorkBehindScenes

God's plan of salvation for this world will not be hampered, will not be stopped, will not be destroyed. It won't be contaminated. It cannot be resisted. One day, we're gonna look back and see that what God is doing, we cannot oppose. And friends, the the question only will be, are you gonna follow him or not? [00:31:43] (32 seconds)  #UnstoppableSalvation

Naomi, questioningly before claimed in chapter two that she went away full, but certainly has our sympathy when she definitely returned empty with the death of her husband and her two sons. But now her story has concluded with the fullness restored to her by faithful Ruth, worth seven sons who gives her this son. [00:15:47] (26 seconds)  #NaomiRestored

And in being faithful to Naomi and faithful to God, here Ruth is restored. She has not only her own family restored, but also the family of her first husband in having a child in the name of Malon with Boaz. So in restoring Malon, Naomi is finally restored too. Her family will not die out with her, but continue through Obed. [00:18:23] (22 seconds)  #FaithRestoresFamily