Broken To Beauty

Mother’s Day by Carol Hardee

May 10,2020

Broken to Beauty

Introduction:

She lay at his feet just following the words of her mother-in-law, not quite understanding all the traditions. I am sure she was questioning will he accept me or make a mockery of me? Then it happened He woke up found her at his feet – amazed at her loyalty took all precautions to protect her and make her his wife.

If you will look with me now at Ruth 1:16, 17

Ruth 1:16 But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."

As we read the story of Ruth, we think “It is an enjoyable story – it has a happy ending.” But let us take a few moments to look at Ruth and her life.

Let us read Ruth 1:3-5 Remember Naomi and her husband had left Judah and went to the land of Moab due to a famine.

Rth 1:3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

Rth 1:11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!"

1.As we look at Ruth, I can see her having some of the same issues and questions that we have? I am not for sure that she always felt beautiful.

Beautiful - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.

Just the struggles of this world can make us feel ugly, dirty, or guilty. Ruth was a widow, she is without her sister, family, culture, and people she knew. Some things in this world can have great effect on us which causes us to not like who we are or who we have become.

Even though Ruth may have questions and was unsure of things, she sought out what was right. (selfless, humble, honest)

Ruth 3:11 Boaz says that the town knew her as a virtuous woman.

You are beautiful. God says you are beautiful. Even though sometimes you may not feel like it or may not even like to see your reflection in the mirror. Daughter, if you are a child of God, God can and will forgive you of your sins. You are beautiful.

Isaiah 61:1-3 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, (3) To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

2.Why did Ruth stay so faithful to Naomi? I say it is because Ruth saw something in Naomi that she desired. Naomi knew Yahweh, the only true God.

Beloved - dearly loved. intimacy

As a child of God not only are you beautiful you are also beloved. This is not a word that we hear often. It means dearly loved like an intimate love. God woes us unto Himself. This thought is sometimes hard for us. Most especially if you have been hurt. But God loves you so much and He wants to have a relationship with you. Sometimes being flesh we get our wiring crossed. God is not looking to harm you nor is He sitting on the side lines waiting and wanting you to mess up so He can punish you.