Lightning is a powerful element of nature. It is visible and often audible with thunder that accompanies the symphony of the storm. The electricity in our walls isn’t as visible or audible – but it is still working and full of power (although not always seen). I remember a young friend who put their finger in an electrical outlet. They discovered the power of the unseen electrical currents! We also had a home in Marshfield that had hot electrical wires in their walls go up in flames and do much damage to their home.
God’s working isn’t always obvious to us as we would like it to be…but His powerful working is always in play! The church must we rest in the one true powerful God!
The Powerful Unknown (2:15-16)
We truly don’t know all that the Lord is doing behind the scenes…in our lives, for our lives, through our lives!
Amy Carmichael complained of her brown eyes as a little girl. She longed for blue eyes. God had plans for Amy to rescue many children in India from human sacrifices, but her blue eyes would have given her away. God was at work even in the color of the eyes He gave her at birth!
Don’t get discouraged when you can’t see the answer! Walk through the day trusting the Lord --- resting in the Lord – that He will care for your needs as He promised!
The Powerful Undeserved (2:17-18)
Ruth did nothing for Boaz to deserve this favor…this kindness. She didn’t pay him money; in fact, she didn’t have money to pay him if she wanted to pay him.
“JJ’s” last name placed him to always be in line right in front of me for school. He knew how to push my buttons. He would poke me in the shoulder incessantly…always ask crazy questions…and was just all-around undesirable to be around. Now, I fast forward 4 decades, I think about my reactions to “JJ” …and then I think about God’s reaction to me when I am stubborn, rebellious, or irritating!
Consider God’s mercy and grace bestowed upon each of us as His children! Consider how we couldn’t “return the favor” if we even wanted to do so. We were…we ARE dependent upon God’s mercy and grace --- and He willingly bestows that mercy and grace on us. Don’t lose sight of those gifts from God when you are dealing with others that seem undesirable to you! In fact, thank God for His merciful, loving gifts – and then thank Him for those He has allowed to cross your path.
The Powerful Unveiling (2:19a)
The generosity is obvious to Naomi. Naomi is greatly encouraged by the generosity and wants to know the details. “Where were you gleaning today?!”
Is God’s generosity obvious to you? Are you pausing to try to remember where the term “generous” connects to God in your life? Please pause here and rehearse with me God’s great generosity. Consider God’s salvation and what it took to make such a gift possible. Consider His presence…His provision…His love…His patience…and His long-suffering — all directed at You and Me!
How obvious is the generosity of God in you towards others?
We hear much about “self-help” books, but we hear very little about helping others!
CONSIDER THESE 3 TARGETS FOR GENEROSITY:
Be generous with your time and LISTEN to understand
Be generous with your treasures and LOOK for where/who to help
Be generous with your talents and CHOOSE to volunteer
o …help widows & the fatherless
o …help those in lower income
o …help your local church
o …help your pregnancy center
o …help center for abused victims
God’s working isn’t always obvious to us as we would like it to be…but His generous powerful working IS always in play!
Think about Joseph as a slave or in prison. God was at work when the he sold as a slave and when he was made second in command of all of Egypt!
Think about Moses and the 10 plagues in Egypt. God was at work when the Israelites were freed from Egypt AND when the Egyptians began pursuing the Israelites AND when God divided the Red Sea AND when God allowed the waters to crash down on their enemies!
Think about Daniel in the lion’s den. God was at work before the two other Presidents deceived the King and formed a plan to get rid of Daniel.
Think about Lazarus’ death and resurrection. God was at work when Jesus delayed in coming to help.
Think about Haman wanting to destroy the Jews. God was at work to deliver the Jews when Esther taken to be the queen.
Think about the nobleman’s son healed or the woman with an issue of blood healed…Jesus said he was healed or the woman just touched the hem of his garment – and it was done!
Ruth was poor…away from home…away from family…her husband is dead…and she is in Bethlehem! How can she rest in God?
4 WAYS WE CAN REST IN OUR POWERFUL GOD!
Do what you know (obey God’s Word)
Rehearse God’s Track Record
o Purposely choose to remember God’s story of power, provision, and love in your life
o Purposely choose to remember God’s story of power, provision, and love in the Bible
Refuse to Embrace Fear. (Turn to Prayer! — I Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7)
Will I choose to embrace all of the things I cannot control and embrace fear? Or will I embrace the One who can control all things?
Surround Yourself with Truth.
o Evaluate relationships – you may need to talk to some of your relationships and ask them to help you embrace truth. You may be surprised how much you can help them while they are also helping you!
o Evaluate news programs – the truth is, most news programs have an agenda they want you to embrace. They do not simply report the facts and leave it for you to decide. Does the news with which you saturate your mind lead you closer to God and His Word?
o Evaluate time in God’s Word – we know the Bible is THE truth (John 17:17). How well do we know the truth?
o Evaluate your heart – The heart is the center of the will. Are you willing to believe God and His Word? If you are struggling with trusting/resting in God – then go back to your thoughts. What are you rehearsing? (Prov. 4:23; Pro. 23:7; Phil. 4:8)
May we all rest in THE one true powerful God!