Series: Faithfulness In A Fallen Land [#3]
COURAGEOUS CONFIDENCE
Ruth 3:1-18
Introduction:
In Ruth 3, we witness a pivotal moment where Ruth steps forward in faith, trusting God's sovereignty and displaying remarkable courage amid uncertainty. Her actions are not merely acts of human bravery but are rooted in a profound trust in God's providence and His promises. Ruth’s story exemplifies how divine grace empowers believers to confront fear and uncertainty with confidence rooted in God's faithfulness. Her willingness to risk security for the sake of obedience and hope exemplifies the biblical principle that true courage is grounded in trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives. It reminds us that, as followers of Christ, our confidence is not in our strength but in God's unwavering faithfulness- His ability to bring about His divine purposes through ordinary people willing to step out in faith.
Ruth 3:1-5
Be confident in…
1. God's provision and timing.
We see Naomi’s plan for Ruth to find security through Boaz. Naomi trusted that God’s timing would be perfect, and her advice for Ruth to wait and approach Boaz shows she believed God would provide in His right time. As followers of Jesus, we can learn to trust that God is always working behind the scenes, even when we don’t see it right away. This story reminds us that God's timing is precise- He knows exactly when to provide what we need. When we trust in His provision and His timing, we can face uncertain situations with confidence, knowing that God is faithful and will give us what’s best at just the right moment.
Trusting God’s perfect timing means letting go of worries about the future and choosing to rely on Him instead. Like Ruth, who stepped out in faith, we are called to move forward with courage, trusting that God will take care of us. This involves praying, being patient, and listening to God's guidance. Sometimes, God's answers come later than we want, but that’s part of His plan. As we grow in trusting His timing, we become stronger in our faith, more courageous, and more confident that God will provide exactly what we need when we need it- At just the right time.
Ruth 3:6-9
Be confident in…
2. Bold faith and action.
Ruth’s bold actions show that trusting God means we are willing to take risks and step out in faith. Ruth believed that God was in control and that He could work through her brave actions. Her decision to go to Boaz at the threshing floor wasn’t done out of fear but out of trust that God would lead and bless her efforts. This shows us that real confidence in God often means being courageous- Doing what is right even when it feels risky. When we take bold steps of faith, God sees our trust and can use our actions to accomplish His plans, even in difficult or uncertain situations.
This story encourages us to be brave and trust God enough to act, even when the way is not clear. Like Ruth, we are called to take steps of faith, (whether in our relationships, helping others, or making changes in our lives) believing that God is with us. Courageous confidence means praying and trusting God while taking action. It’s about doing what’s right and trusting that God will guide us and work through our boldness. Ruth teaches us that having faith doesn’t mean being fearless, but it means acting in faith despite our fears, trusting that God will keep His promises and lead us in the right path.
Ruth 3:10-13
Be confident in…
3. God’s sovereign control and blessings.
Boaz tells Ruth that God is in control of everything and that He will bless those who are faithful. This shows us that God's power is not far away or inactive. Instead, God is actively guiding His people to do what is good and right. Ruth’s brave act of trusting Boaz was based on her confidence that God was watching over her and working out His plan. For us today, this reminds us that we should not only rely on ourselves or our circumstances. Instead, we can trust that God's power is at work behind the scenes to help us and bless us. When we step out in faith, (whether in obeying God, helping others, or trusting His promises) we can do so confidently because we know that God's hand is guiding everything and blessing those who trust Him.
This means we should live with boldness, trusting that God is in control. Even when things are uncertain or difficult, we can have confidence that God will bless our obedience. We should pray to Him, ask for His guidance, and then move forward with faith that He is working in every part of our lives. Ruth’s story teaches us that trusting God's control is not just sitting back; it’s actively trusting Him and taking steps of faith. Knowing that God is always working for our good and His glory should inspire us to live courageously, confident that His blessings and His control are always at work in our lives.
Ruth 3:14-18
Be confident in…
4. God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises.
God always keeps His promises, even when things seem uncertain or difficult. Ruth’s brave action in going to Boaz shows she trusted that God would take care of her. This reminds us that God's promises, (like providing for us, protecting us, and saving us) are sure because of who He is. Even when we feel unsure or face hard times, we can believe that God's faithfulness is constant. His love and promises never fail, and He is always working in ways we might not see right away. We can trust that God will keep His promises in His perfect timing.
This means we can be confident in God's promises every day. Just like Ruth trusted that Boaz would help her because she trusted God's goodness, we can trust that God will take care of us because His character is faithful. When doubts come, we can remember how God has helped us before and how His Word promises to never leave us. This trust gives us courage to face each day and take steps of faith. Knowing that God is faithful encourages us to be brave and hopeful, even when things are hard, because we can be sure that His promises will come true in His perfect time.
Conclusion:
Just as Ruth stepped out in faith and confidence, trusting God's plan even in uncertain times, so too are we called to embrace boldness in our walk with Christ. I pray that you desire to deepen your trust in God, to step out in faith, and to surrender your burdens to Him. Remember, with God’s strength, you can face any challenge with confidence. He is faithful, and His plans for you are good. Do not wait to step out in faith today.
