Today’s Passage is Ruth 3:6-12.
A frontier preacher was preaching against hatred, he asked all those who had overcome the sin of hatred to stand. He was shocked when one older man rose to his feet. The preacher asked him how this could be and he said, “All the skunks who done me dirt, all them scoundrels I hated—they're all dead.” (Source: Bible in Pocket, Gun in Hand, Ross Pahres)
Victory isn’t found in the removal of trials. Victory is seen in the building of our faith amid the trials.
“God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hand as a means. I say—and say it deliberately—trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.” —George Mueller
We must trust the Lord in the surprises along life’s path.
Following Good Counsel (Ruth 3:6)
Ruth not only receives good counsel…she also follows it!
When a couple asked a pastor if he would perform their marriage ceremony, he proceeded to tell them that he likes to give several sessions of premarital counseling before performing weddings. To which they replied, “We don’t need counseling. We’ve both been married several times before.” (Source: Reader’s Digest, May, 2009)
We all need good counsel…but we all aren’t always willing to seek it -- or listen to it -- or heed to it. So, what makes the counsel in Ruth 3:6 “good counsel?”
It was good because it was according to the Word of God. This was the law of the Jews.
It was good because Naomi’s God was the One true God.
It was good because Naomi was following God and Naomi was Ruth’s leadership.
5 Ways to Receive “GOOD COUNSEL” –
Seek someone who is known as a disciple of Jesus. (Psalm 1:1; II Tim. 3:14)
Listen to understand…not to respond. (Prov. 18:13)
Bring humility to the table. (Prov. 16:18-19; James 4:6) Here’s the mindset — I am not perfect. I have room to grow. In fact, I must grow! I cannot keep doing the same thing if I want different results!
Approach with a learner’s mindset (what could I do different from what I am doing right now – that would bring me closer to God?). (II Peter 3:18; Ps. 86:11)
Pray over the counsel. Be careful not to swiftly dismiss counsel. Swiftly dismissing counsel, often happens when it was not the counsel you predetermined that you wanted to hear. Bath it in prayer. Ask the Lord to guide you through the counsel as you continue studying His Word. (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6)
The church needs to be the Gospel Counsellor everyone needs!
o Be the godly disciple of Jesus other souls need
o Listen to the lost to understand their need for Jesus
o Embrace humility and put yourself last – Jesus, Others, You.
o Take a learner’s view of the gospel. Get better at witnessing.
o Pray others will understand: God’s holiness, justice, love, & gift
Taking Careful Steps (3:7-9)
The story is told of a young father-to-be who was pacing back and forth, nervously wringing his hands in the hospital waiting room while his wife was in labor. Finally, a nurse opened the door and said, “Well, sir, you have a little girl.”
He heaved a sigh of relief and said, “I’m glad it’s a girl. She’ll never have to go through the agony I’ve gone through tonight!” Source: Unknown
Waiting never seems easy…it always seems too long…and it seems harder for me than anyone else. Look at the waiting in this passage:
a. Ruth waited until he had eaten (3:3)
b. Ruth uncovered his feet (3:4)
Men would lie with their head by the grain to protect it from thieves and keep it safe
Then, and only then, does she claim him as her kinsman redeemer (she could have brought him into court…this was her right in the law of Moses)
c. Ruth waited, just as she was instructed (3:4)
d. Ruth’s presence (on the threshing floor) and position (desiring a kinsman redeemer) was not revealed immediately (3:9)
We will benefit from waiting on God and following Him
Rejoicing in God’s Way (3:10-13)
Ruth received more favor than expected (3:10)
Ruth received more assurance than expected (3:11)
Ruth received more surprises than expected (3:12-13)
We all experience unwanted / undesirable surprises. The surprise of bills or health problems, of a layoff, of gossip, surprise of miscommunication, of hurt feelings, of broken trust, and the surprise of a less favorable way may be some examples of surprises that have crossed your path. But how do you deal with …surprises?
On July 6, 2011, a hiker, Brian Matayoshi, was attacked by a female grizzly bear near the Wapiti Lake trail in Yellowstone National Park. He and his wife were visiting the park as hundreds of thousands do each year. Apparently they surprised the mother grizzly and her cubs. The National Park Service issued a statement saying, “In an attempt to defend a perceived threat to her cubs, the bear attacked and fatally wounded the man.” Though the man did not intend to harm the bear or her cubs, she did not know that and responded according to her nature—with fatal results. (Source: Chicagotribune.com, July 8, 2011)
We don’t tend to like surprises…and we can often react like a grizzly bear trying to protect our territory. There are no surprises to the Lord…we must trust Him even when the surprise seems threatening.
4 Ways to Actively Trust God when Surprises Cross our Path:
1. Gratitude. (James 1:2; 4:4)
2. Promises. Rehearse His promises. (II Cor. 1:20)
3. Increased comfort… from other disciples and from His Word. (I Thess. 5:11)
4. More of the same…read more of the Word, pray — more, go to church — more, pursue Jesus — more…don’t give up!
Most of us don’t like unwelcomed surprises … don’t forget, while your circumstances may have surprisingly changed, your God has not changed at all! Choose to actively trust God…even when surprises cross your path.