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.
Now this kind of love doesn’t mean that everything is all hunky- dory, grand and beautiful.
Pg 1653 (from Woman’s Study Bible) – Love sometimes demands that we act in very practical and even uncomfortable ways. As you have Pastor say “God loves you so much that He can’t let you stay where you are”. The whole book of Song of Solomon discusses the relationship of the Beloved.
Ruth had known foreign gods and come from a whole different way of life, but she saw something different in Naomi’s God. Ruth gave up a chance to grow a family. She left a place of security to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God. God was wooing Ruth. She didn’t know Him and all that He had for her, but she was learning how special she was to Him.
Romans 9:25 As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." [30]
3.In following Naomi’s God, I see where Ruth was blessed. Blessed means that God is looking favorably on.
Blessed- made holy; consecrated.
pronounce words in a religious rite, to confer or invoke divine favor upon; ask God to look favorably on.
"he blessed the dying man and anointed him"
In the beginning of the story it sure didn’t’ look like that God was looking favorably toward Ruth. It seemed that all was taken away – Her husband died, lost her family, they were poor, she had to take care of her mother-in-law. But as you begin to watch the story you can see how God opened doors and directed her steps along the way - guided her to just the right field, provided work, food, and favor with the workers and owner.
You are blessed. Look around. You can see where God’s hand is in your life. Sometimes it’s hard to see things as you are going through them, but if you will set your sights on God, HE will see you through till the end.
So, let’s notice the end of Ruth’s life. How blessed was she? Did all things work out? At the end, Ruth is happily married, has children, is rich and best of all is listed in the linage of David which leads to the linage of Jesus.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Conclusion
4.Ruth had no idea when she started that she would be in the linage of David. She might not have known how beautiful, beloved, and blessed that she would be. She just knew God. She was perfect – She didn’t get it all right, but she kept aiming high with God. She wore strength and honor as her clothing therefore she could make it through.
Pro 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. (NKJV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. (NLT)
Strength and honor. These words describe the character of the woman who fears the Lord. Her inward clothing displays divine wisdom, giving her confidence to face the future with its unexpected challenges.
You can be strong and courageous because you know that your Savior-God goes with you! You do not have to spend your days in fear or your nights in dismay. The Lord your God promises to keep you wherever you go. He goes with us to encourage, strengthen, protect, and comfort us!
Our strength and courage do not come from within us. Instead, they come from what God has already done for you. You can take on uncertainty in the workplace knowing that—no matter what happens—you’ll be safe! You can take on rocky times in your marriage, knowing that—despite the external pressures—you’ll be safe! You can raise your children in a tumultuous world, knowing that—no matter how bad it gets—you’ll be safe!
Being safe in God’s care does not mean that bad times will never come. You may face layoffs, letdowns, and less-than-perfect days. You may encounter pain, pressure, and panic. Yet these bad times do not negate God’s strength. He holds you tightly, safe in his care, even when bad things happen, especially when bad things happen. You can face them head-on with the strength and courage that come from your Savior, knowing that nothing can tear you away from his love—not in this life or the next.
Keep pointing to God even when don’t understand, don’t know the right answer.
Also keep pointing your family, husband, friends to God even when they don’t understand or know the right answer.
Ps 46
Not perfect
Change attitude
I Peter 5:10 God does not make mistakes, and He is never finished working in us as He continues to refine and edify helping each woman reach her maximum potential. Negatives can be changed into positives and tragedies into triumphs with the Savior’s touch.
