GREAT FAITH

"Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. So they two went until they came to Bethlehem" (Ruth 1:1-19a). What you are hearing is the voice of your heavenly Father. We all know very well the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. It's a story that shows how "God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform." It's a story for people who wonder where God is when there are no dreams or visions or prophets. It's for people who wonder where God is when one tragedy after another attacks their faith. It's a story for people who wonder whether a life of integrity in tough times is worth it. And it's a story for people who can't imagine that anything great could ever come of their ordinary lives of faith. It's a refreshing and encouraging story, and I want you to be refreshed and encouraged this day. Ruth and Naomi teach us how to handle adversity through our trust in God’s ultimate plan for our life. Ruth’s pledge to Naomi has such a powerful effect on us that many include her words in their weddings and on jewelry. God also regards her commitment as the basis of true love. Today's message shows us some practical ways that Ruth expressed her love to Naomi. 1. She stuck with her. 2. She adjusted to her. 3. She reached beyond her comfort zone. 4. She offered encouraging words. 5. She put Naomi’s needs above her own. Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi appear amazing. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye but Ruth cleaved to her. Not even subsequent entreaties can get Ruth to leave. This is all the more amazing after Naomi's grim description of their future with her. Ruth stays with her in spite of an apparently hopeless future of widowhood and childlessness. Naomi painted the future black and Ruth took her hand and walked into it with her. A look at Ruth’s commitment to go with her mother-in-law can help us in learning how to better commit to God. How? By holding on to our confession of faith without wavering or doubting even unto death. Now, let us go back to the amazing words of Ruth found in 1:16–17, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." What a decision! What a courage! What a great faith! Indeed, it is very exciting. The more you think on these words of Ruth the more amazing they become. This is a very brave, outspoken confession of faith made by a woman, a young woman, a poor woman, a widow woman, and a foreigner. Remembering all that, I should think there is no condition of gentleness, or of obscurity, or of poverty, or of sorrow, which should prevent anybody from making an open confession of allegiance to God when faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has been exercised. If that is your experience, then whoever you may be, you will find an opportunity, somewhere or other, of declaring that you are on the Lord’s side. Ruth's commitment to her destitute mother-in-law is simply astonishing. First, it means leaving her own family and land. Second, it means, as far as she knows, a life of widowhood and childlessness, because Naomi has no man to give, and if Ruth marries a non-relative, her commitment to Naomi's family would be lost. Third, it means going to an unknown land with a new people and new customs and new language. Fourth, it was a commitment even more radical than marriage: "Where you die I will die and there be buried." In other words, she will never return home, not even if Naomi dies. But the most amazing commitment of all is this: "Your God will be my God." Naomi has just said in verse 13, "The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me." Naomi's experience of God was bitterness. But in spite of this, Ruth forsakes her religious heritage and makes the God of Israel her God. Perhaps, Ruth had made that commitment years before, when her husband told her of the great love of God for Israel and his power at the Red Sea, and his glorious purpose of peace and righteousness. Somehow or other Ruth had come to trust in Naomi's God in spite of Naomi's bitter experiences. Here we have a picture of God's ideal woman. Having such great faith in God that sees beyond the present bitter setbacks. Possessing courage to venture into the unknown and the strange. Without securities and comforts of the world. With radical commitment in the relationships appointed by God. You can't have great things or do great things until you are a great person, and great faith will make you great. How to know that you have GREAT FAITH: 1. Great faith has great persistence. 2. Great faith is undeniable. 3. Great faith must be tested. Beloved, work on having great faith today. Work on believing what God says, and when it becomes great faith, you will have it. Great faith isn't great faith until it touches the life of another person - when it does something good for someone else. I wish we could affirm that wherever christians love each other and are true to each other and take risks for each other, God is with them and for them and they are doing God's will. As you read and apply this message to your heart, vowing to remain faithful to God in the face of all odds, God will richly bless you. Remain blessed in the LORD. Keep on reading and following the LORD, JESUS CHRIST...@fasuchem, #fasuchem, http://fasuchem.blogspot.com/, http://fasuchem.wordpress.com/, http://fasuchem.livejournal.com/, http://fasuchem.tumblr.com/, http://fasuchem.blog.com/, http://fasuchem.tblog.com/, http://my.opera.com/fasuchem/blog/, http://twitter.com/fasuchem/, http://facebook.com/fasuchem/, etc.