| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Living by faith” Our Bible verse for today: “For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Do the right thing, and trust God for the outcome” I love the story of Ruth and Naomi in the Old Testament. Naomi was a widow living in a foreign land. Not only did her husband die, but both of her sons died as well. Ruth was one of her daughters-in-law from that foreign land. When Naomi decided to return to her native home in the land of Judah, she instructed both of her daughters-in-law to remain there in their own country and find new husbands. But as we read in Ruth 1:6 (above), Ruth refused to leave her. So, Ruth and Naomi traveled back to Bethlehem in the land of Judah, not knowing what to expect. They were homeless and with no means of support. But if you read the story, you will discover that it turned out pretty well for both of them. The question for us here this morning is, “Where did Ruth find the courage to leave her home and travel with Naomi to a strange land?” And the answer is that it was an act of faith on her part. She determined to simply do the right thing and to trust God for the outcome. In what way was Ruth living by faith? Taking care of widows is a Biblical mandate. Ruth wasn’t a Jew by birth but she did marry into a Jewish family and she lived in that setting for some number of years. So, she had probably converted to Judaism and she had probably learned the basic precepts of the faith. Taking care of widows is taught repeatedly in the Old Testament by Moses and the prophets. Ruth would have known that. Therefore, in addition to her love for Naomi, she knew she had a Biblical responsibility from God to do the right thing in this situation. So, in faith, and in accordance with Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.), Ruth went with Naomi, took excellent care of her, provided for her, and in return, God took good care of Ruth. Ruth is an inspiring example of living by faith. She resolved to just do the right thing and to trust God for the rest. And that’s the lesson for us here this morning: when we resolve to simply do what we know to be right, we can trust the outcome to God. God bless, Pastor Jim |
| Copyright © 2022 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. |
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 