Today we are beginning a series of messages based on the book of Ruth. This book as often referred to as one of the greatest love stories in the Bible, if not one of the greatest love stories in all of literature.
When such an observation is made, of course, it is the love relationship between Boaz and Ruth that is being referred to. But I would like to suggest to you that there is another love relationship described here as well. That is the love relationship between God and one of His children who was experiencing the difficulties of life - Naomi.
Perhaps you can identify somewhat with the difficulties Naomi had experienced. Naomi described her experiences as being “bitter” here in chapter one. But as we will see, this book tells a story of how God leads Naomi from bitterness to blessedness; and teaches us some
lessons as to how we might likewise pass from bitterness to blessedness as we struggle with the difficulties we face in life.
In this first chapter, we are told of Naomi’s difficulties. Driven from their homeland of Judah, Naomi, and her husband and two sons, sojourned to the land of Moab. There, further calamity befell Naomi as her husband died. As if this wasn’t enough, her two sons died also.
Finally, when word came that the famine was over, Naomi returned to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah did so, but Ruth chose to stay with her. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, the people who had known her were shocked to hear about all that had befallen her. “Can this be Naomi?” they asked.
Naomi didn’t seem to be the same as they had known her before.
Indeed, Naomi told them, “Don’t call me Naomi (pleasantness). Call me Mara (bitter). Naomi was a person who had become bitter about the circumstances of life.
How does one recover from such bitterness? That is what the book of Ruth is about. From chapter one, we learn that if we are going to be delivered from bitterness in life, we must open our eyes . . .
1. To see the personal concern of others - vs. 16-17
Naomi seemed blind to the fact of Ruth’s personal concern for her. Even when Ruth made the bold declaration she did about her commitment, Naomi still didn’t seem to recognize the fact that here was someone she could find strength from.
Ruth’s friendship was “hidden in plain sight.”
Often when we have become embittered by the difficulties of life, we will conclude that no one cares. Like Naomi, we become so wrapped up in our self pity that we don’t even recognize personal concern even when it is expressed. Are you feeling abandoned? Forsaken? Who is it that God has placed in your life that may be “hidden in plain sight?”
Now, Naomi did eventually come to recognize Ruth’s personal concern and she was helped by it. In the same way, when we are facing tough times, we must open our eyes and see those about us who are expressing love and concern and allow them to strength us.
Who has God placed in your path to be a friend to you? Who has God placed in your path for you to be friend to?
True friendship is indeed a gift, a treasure from above.
For friendship’s just another part of God’s great gift of love!
Take a moment and poke yourself in the bellybutton (I’d tell you to poke your neighbor, but that might get us into trouble!) Our navel is a constant reminder that we all started life connected to another human being; and that we are intended to live life in meaningful connection with other human beings.
But when sin entered this world, it caused a rift not just between man and God; but between man and man, as symbolized by the fact that Adam and Eve covered themselves in fig leaves and hid from God in the bushes.
But God came to us in Christ to reverse the effects of sin, Through Christ, we not only experience salvation in that our relationship with God is restored, but we also experience salvation through meaningful relationships with other human beings.
That is why, once we are restored to a personal friendship with God through faith in Christ, we are called to indentify and invest in the fellowship of a local body of believers. It is within the context of our being a vital part of a local body of Christ that Paul says: “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.” - 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (The Message)
Because of what our relationships with other Christians can be through our involvement in a local church, Puritan writer, Thomas Brooks said: “Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion.”
Again, I ask you . . . who has God placed in your path to be a friend to you? Who has God placed in your path for you to be friend to? The first place that every Christian should begin to look in order to answer these questions is to the fellowship of a local church.
Here’s a fun exercise for you to do when you have time. Use your concordance and find all of the Scriptures from Acts to Revelation in which you find the word “together” and see what early
Christians did “together.” Here’s a sampling: Meeting together. Praying together. Sharing material things with one another. Eating together. Consulting with and advising one another. Planning and strategizing together. Working together. Standing together when under attack. Jesus Christ never intended for any of his followers to follow him in isolation from other believers. Wherever it’s possible, Christ intends for all of us to be in this together; not just for one hour on Sunday mornings - not just during “official” church meetings, but through the day to day course of life; and especially in times of difficulty.
God did not leave Naomi friendless; and He will not leave you friendless, either. Ask Him to open your eyes. In difficult times, if we are going to avoid bitterness, we must ask God to open our eyes to see the personal concern of others. But we must also open our eyes . . .
2. To see the providential care of God - v. 22
At the end of this chapter, we are told that Naomi and Ruth arrived at Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest. Of course, it was because of the barley harvest that Ruth found a chance to work in the fields and was given the opportunity to meet Boaz. It was not by accident that Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem at the start of the barley harvest, it was providential. God had something in mind for Naomi and Ruth. Naomi may have concluded that God had forsaken her; but she was wrong.
Once a very eccentric lady died, leaving a will that gave all her possessions to God. The will came to the judge to be probated, and after some deliberation he ruled that the will was not valid because he said, “God could not be found in this district.”
When facing difficulty, we often look around us and come to a similar conclusion. But God is there!
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” - Psalm 139:7 (NIV)
When facing circumstances that tempt us to become bitter, we need to ask God to open our eyes to recognize His presence and his providential working on our behalf.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the LORD.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)
“The one who seeks God finds Him, and when he does, he discovers that God was also seeking him!” - Robert Shannon
Conclusion: The Amazon River is the largest river in the world. The mouth is 90 mires across. There is enough water to exceed the combined flow of the Yangtze, Mississippi, and Nile rivers. So much water comes from the Amazon that they can detect its current 200 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. One irony of ancient navigation is that sailors in ancient times died for lack of fresh water . . . Caught in the windless waters of the South Atlantic. They were adrift, helpless, dying of thirst. Sometimes other ships from South America who knew the area would come alongside and call out, “What is your problem?” And they would exclaim, “Can you spare us some water? Our sailors are dying from thirst!” And from the other ship would come the cry, “Just lower your buckets. You are in the mouth of the mighty Amazon river.” The fresh water they needed to survive was there all along, they just didn’t realize it.
Are you adrift in despair and bitterness? Open you eyes! God has provided persons who care for you and who can offer you strength and support; and God is present and providentially at work on your behalf. What you need in order to survive this present time of difficulty; or any time of difficulty you might ever face, is there. Just ask God to open your eyes!
