TOPIC: VISITATION OF THE LORD
Text: Ruth 1:1-6
v. 6, “6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.” ESV
Introduction:
What would you do if a well known person will visit you at your house? What if the new elect president will visit you, what will be your expectation to happen and from him?
Our theme for today is about the Lord visitation to His people. Every time the Lord visited His People something great happened. Genesis 21:1, “1 The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.” 1 Samuel 2:21, “21 Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.” Our Topic for Today: VISITATION OF THE LORD. Let’s open our Bible in Ruth 1:1-6 (read). What do we expect from the Lord and what He expects from us when He visits us, His people?
Background: The Book of Ruth is named for a Moabitess who had married a Hebrew man living in Moab. After the death of her husband, Ruth migrated with Naomi, her widowed Hebrew mother-in-law, to Bethlehem in Israel. There God providentially provided for her and led her to marry Boaz, a prosperous Hebrew farmer. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David. She is listed in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1:5. The author spoke directly on two occasions of God’s sovereign, superintending grace on behalf of the main characters: (1) Naomi learned “in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them” (1:6) this is the visitation of the Lord to His people. (2) Ruth had been barren for several years in Moab before her husband Mahlon died. Later, as the wife of Boaz, “the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son” the result of God’s visitation (4:13). Israel irresponsibly disobey God, even Elimelech who chose irresponsibly to go to Moab instead of trusting God. He forgot that in Bethlehem is the place of God’s visitation & blessings.
Today I would like to focus on Ruth 1:6. We can see here what to expect when God visits His people and what He in return expects from us.
Expect S.S.S. when the Lord visits His people.
1. We Expect Salvation (rescue, deliverance, recovery) from the Lord (God Rescue)
Ruth 1:6, “6When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come TO THE AID of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.”
We can see here the situation and condition of Naomi’ and her family. First we can see that because of famine in their land Naomi and her husband and their children went to the country of Moab to live there. But her husband died and she was left with two sons. She raised her sons in that country far from her relative and friends. And during their time it is difficult to become widow, that is why in the Bible God commanded to take care of the orphan and the widow. Because it will be hard for them to make a living. So she raised her two sons until they get married in that country to a Moabite women. But her two sons also died and now she was left with two widow daughter in law. It is more difficult now, not only to her but even for her daughter in law who is also now a widow. Luke 1:68, “68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.” (Redemption). God reveal Himself here that GOD RESCUE. What are the situations or areas of your life that you are in right now that needs to be deliver?
2. We Expect Satisfaction (contentment, fulfillment) from the Lord (God Rewards)
Ruth 1:6, “6When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by PROVIDING FOOD FOR THEM, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.”
We can see here how the people of the Lord from their needs for foods was supplied by God when He visited them. It satisfies their needs. Not only our physical needs that God satisfies but even the deepest longing of our soul – Psalm 107:9, “9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” ESV Psalm 42:1, “1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Only God can fill our deepest needs and desires. Every heart of man has a void that no one can fill it or satisfies but God. Man in his own natures are not content (ILL. A person can say, “if I only have a bike then it will be okay with me.” But it is just the beginning of even more desires for more.) Philippians 4:19, “19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (ESV). Psalm 145:16, “16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 132:16, “15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.” He alone can satisfy our needs. But do not just come to God for our own wants but to really enjoy Him and His presence in our life. That He is enough. John 6:26-27, “26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." What shall we do then to find satisfaction in this life? Psalm 37:4, “4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” John 15:7, “7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” We should delight in Him & remain in Him and His Word. God reveal Himself here that: GOD REWARDS.
3. He Expect Submission (obedience) & Sanctification (consecration, dedication) from Us (God Revives – restore, renew, refresh, revitalize)
Ruth 1:6, “6When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law PREPARED TO RETURN home from there.”
Luke 7:16, “16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" Fear is the beginning of wisdom. It is a fear that is full of reverence.
When the Lord visits His people it means spiritual renewal, blessings but He expects from us submission, sanctification, consecration, dedication, devotion, commitment to Him. Naomi and Ruth not only prepare themselves to go back but they actually return home. 2 Chronicles 5:17, “14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” There are tree conditions here: Humility, Prayer, Seeking His Face and Turn from wicked ways (submission & sanctification) then the results is healing, spiritual renewal, blessings. God reveal Himself here that GOD REVIVES.
Challenge:
If God will visit your life today, what it will be? What areas of your life that needs visitation from the Lord? Needs salvation, deliverance? Satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, void that needs to be filling up? What areas of your life you need to submit to the Lord? Areas that needs sanctification, consecration, dedication to God? What change you need to do to accommodate His visitation in your life? Do you long for the Lord’s visitation in your life today?
