Series: Faithfulness In A Fallen Land [#1]
LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Ruth 1:1-22
Introduction:
In a World full of trouble and uncertainty, the story of Ruth shows us how strong faith and God's care can be, even in difficult times. As we start our series on "Faithfulness In A Fallen Land," we look at Ruth 1. This story tells about a family that faces loss, being forced to leave their home, and feeling hopeless. Even in these hard moments, Ruth’s story reminds us that God is still with us. The theme "Lost But Not Forgotten" teaches us that, even when we feel abandoned or forgotten, God's love is always working behind the scenes, guiding us toward hope and new beginnings.
This part of the Bible helps us think about what it means to go through loss and to stay faithful when life gets tough. Ruth’s loyalty and trust in God can encourage us today, showing that God's faithfulness never fails. As we learn more about her story, we will see how God's love shines through even the darkest times. This reminds us that we are never truly lost to God- He always remembers us and cares for us.
Ruth 1:1-5
When you lose your…
1. Security, God remains your refuge.
When our sense of security is taken away, (whether because of personal loss, difficult situations in society, or unexpected events) Ruth 1:1-5 shows us that God's faithfulness stays the same. Naomi lost her husband and sons, and that could have made her give up hope and feel unstable; but through it all, God's control and love kept His people going, even in the darkest times. Practically, this teaches us to trust not in worldly things that can fade or be lost, but in God's constant presence as our safe place. When everything around us feels shaky, we can remember that God is our refuge- Always there to help us in times of trouble. Trusting His power and love gives us peace, even in chaos, knowing that His faithfulness continues beyond our struggles, and His grace is enough for us.
Theologically, this point reminds us that God's role as our safe place never changes. No matter what we lose, (whether money, relationships, or our normal way of life) His love and faithfulness remain steady. Practically, it encourages us to respond to loss with faith instead of fear or despair. We can turn to God in prayer, read His Word, and connect with others, trusting that He is working all things for our good. Just as Ruth held onto Naomi and found hope in God's care, we too are called to hold onto God's promises. Even when we feel lost or vulnerable, we are never forgotten, because our true security is in God's unshakable grace.
Ruth 1:6-7
When you lose your…
2. Direction, God's promises guide your path.
When we feel lost or unsure about where to go, Ruth 1:6-7 reminds us that God's promises can help guide us. Ruth’s story shows how, even when things seem very difficult and uncertain, God remains faithful. His promises, like caring for His people and providing for their needs, give us hope and direction. Practically, this means we should trust in God's Word and promises, especially when life feels overwhelming. By thinking about what God has said, we can find our way again and move forward with confidence, knowing that God is guiding us toward what is best for us.
Spiritually and practically, this point encourages us to seek God's guidance through prayer, reading the Bible, and talking with others, especially when we feel confused or lost. Ruth’s story shows that trusting God's promises can bring hope and clarity, even during sad or hard times. When we face difficult situations, (whether in relationships, work, or our faith) we are reminded that God's promises are a safe and sure guide. By trusting Him, we can let go of trying to control everything and walk forward in faith. This not only helps us find our way again but also shows others God's faithfulness as we trust Him in our struggles.
Ruth 1:8-13
When you lose your…
3. Loved ones, God's grace sustains your hope.
In Ruth 1:8-13, we see Naomi very sad because she lost her husband and sons. She feels like her hope is slipping away. Theologically, this story shows us that even in our darkest times of loss and sadness, God's grace is still with us. His grace helps us hold on to hope when everything feels hopeless. Naomi’s words to her daughters-in-law remind us that it’s normal to feel abandoned when loved ones are gone, but God's care and control are still working. Practically, this teaches us to rely on God's grace during hard times. We can trust that His hope and love will hold us steady, even when we are hurting, and remind us that we are never truly abandoned.
In our daily lives, this story encourages us to turn to God's grace when we lose loved ones. Our hope doesn’t come from how strong we are, but from God's faithfulness. Just like Naomi trusted God's care, we can trust that God's hope will help us through our sadness. We are also called to help others who are mourning, showing kindness and praying for them. By leaning on God's mercy, we can heal our broken hearts and find hope again. When we do this, we show God's faithfulness in a fallen World and give comfort to those who feel forgotten in their pain.
Ruth 1:14-18
When you lose your…
4. Comfort, God provides new opportunities.
In Ruth 1:14-18, we see Naomi feeling very sad and hurt as she watches her daughters-in-law leave her. She feels like she has lost her family and her comfort; but even in her sadness, we see how Ruth’s loyalty shows God's control over everything. When we lose things that make us feel safe, (like health, relationships, or dreams) God can use these times to help us grow and have new opportunities. Just like Ruth’s loyalty led to God providing for her and making her part of His plan, our losses can become the starting point for new hope, faith, and purpose.
Practically, this story teaches us to trust God even when we feel like we’ve lost everything. Instead of giving up or feeling hopeless, we are called to stay faithful and believe that God is working behind the scenes. When we lose what we cherish, it’s an invitation to trust God’s promises and be open to the new blessings He wants to give us, (whether through relationships, service, or growing in faith). Like Ruth, who found hope by trusting God’s plan, we can learn that God's comfort is not just in keeping things the same, but in turning our losses into new beginnings that help us stay faithful in a broken World.
Ruth 1:19-22
When you lose your…
5. Reputation, God's faithfulness reaffirms your identity.
In Ruth 1:19-22, we see Naomi’s identity shaken as she loses her reputation and feels hopeless. Because of her hardships, (famine, losing her family, and feeling abandoned) she calls herself "Mara," which means "bitter." This shows how tough life can make us doubt ourselves and question who we are; but even when things seem to fall apart, God's faithfulness never changes. It reminds us that our true worth isn’t based on how others see us or what happens to us, but on God's promises. Spiritually, this teaches us that even when our reputation is damaged or we feel forgotten, God's love and faithfulness remind us of our real identity as His children, (loved and valued no matter what). In everyday life, this means we can trust that God's faithfulness will keep us steady and restore our dignity, even during difficult times.
Practically speaking, when you lose your reputation, (whether because of mistakes, what others say, or tough circumstances) you can find comfort in God's faithfulness. Instead of feeling ashamed or hopeless, remember that God's promises say you are loved, forgiven, and part of His family. Naomi’s story shows us that God can restore our reputation and give us a new purpose, even after hardship. When we trust in God's love and faithfulness, we can face disappointment and shame with confidence, knowing that He will reaffirm our worth. His faithfulness helps us move forward, turning pain into hope and loss into new beginnings, because our identity is built on His unchanging love.
Conclusion:
The story of Ruth shows us that even when we face great loss and difficult times, God's faithfulness stays the same. Ruth’s journey from sadness to hope teaches us that being loyal, trusting God, and not giving up can lead to blessings and new beginnings. Even when Ruth felt lost and alone, her faith in God's promises helped her find a new sense of belonging and hope. Her story reminds us that no matter how dark things may seem, God is always working behind the scenes, guiding us and reminding us that we are never forgotten.
As we think about Ruth’s story in our World today, we are encouraged to stay faithful even when life is hard. God's grace keeps us going through tough times, and His promises of hope and redemption are sure. Just as Ruth was blessed for her faithfulness, we can trust that God sees our faithfulness too and will honor our commitment to Him. In a World full of brokenness, Ruth's story reminds us that we are never forgotten, and with God's help, even those who are lost can find their way back into His loving arms.
