3 Truths To Build Your Life On
The Old Testament book of Ruth is all about life, loss and the loving providence of God. It’s the story of two women, Naomi and Ruth, surrounded by loss and disappointment, and the one true God who is always at work in the ups and downs of their lives.
I taught through this powerful short story at Redemption this fall (Click for sermon summaries - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four). In each chapter I found myself walking away with the same three realities rattling around in my heart and I wanted to share them here…
1. You Are Not Alone
There is not one moment in this story when God is not present and working in power. When famine broke out in Bethlehem, God was there. When Naomi’s husband and sons died in Moab, God was there. When Naomi and Ruth wound up in Bethlehem, God was there. When Ruth went out to scour for food, God was there. When Ruth took a giant risk proposing to Boaz, God was there.
Here’s the point: Though God may be silent, He’s never absent.
There will never be a season, circumstance, or situation in which God is not with you. You may feel abandoned, question whether anyone understands what you’re going through, and feel as though no one cares about where you’re at and what you’re going through, but…
God. Is. There.
You are never alone. God is with you.
2. Your Pain Is Not Pointless
If you know the story, then you know there must have been points when Naomi and Ruth wondered if there was any purpose in their pain. You think Naomi didn’t cry out to God as she buried her to two boys, wondering if God had any idea what He was doing?
Though Naomi may never have fully understood God’s purpose in her pain, we do! Jesus came through the line of Boaz and Ruth. God let Naomi suffer in order to save you!
Just like Naomi’s pain wasn’t pointless, neither is yours. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God is always working for His glory and your good!
You are not alone and your pain is not pointless.
3. You Are Not Without A Redeemer
After the birth of her grandson, Naomi’s friends pray a spectacular prayer over her.
“Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer…”
(Ruth 4:14)
This baby, Obed, would be the father of Jesse, who would be the father of Israel’s greatest king, David. David points us to the redeeming work of Jesus. Like David, Jesus is the true and greater King who not only leads people back to God, but is the very means by which we are accepted by Him. Only faith in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus reconciles us to God.
This redemption is held out to each of us. We are not alone, our pain is not pointless and we are not without a Redeemer.
Jesus is always with us through the power of His Spirit. Jesus is working through all things, even our pain, for the purpose of His glory and our good. Jesus is our great Redeemer who owes us nothing, but gives us everything.
These are the three great realities bound up in this short story and three great realities we can build our lives on starting today.
