5. Living by Grace (2)

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting, Sermon Audio 2015, September 2015 Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: 324 Trusting Jesus 327 All Things Work for Good 309 Thank You, Lord

 

Ruth 2:8-12 

8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

 

Under His Wings

– Living by Grace (2)

OUTLINE

  • Bestowment (v8-9)
  • Thanksgiving (v10-12)

 

INTRODUCTION

Life with God is a life of faith sustained by the grace of God undergirding us in every way. It’s a truly blessed life. Solomon said in Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Faith begets favour. As we place our trust in God, we endeavour to do His will according to His Word and thereby experiencing His blessings.

God working in unknown and unexplainable and unfathomable way leads and directs us to do His will fulfilling His purpose for our lives. For Ruth, she will be the progenitor of the line of Messiah. She found that God can be trusted more than we can ever imagine.

With God, there is no coincident or accident but only His blessed providence for things in life do not simply happen but there is an Almighty orchestration behind the scenes. Everything that happens in our lives occurs for a purpose and God uses it to mould us for His glory as we yield ourselves to Him.

God truly works in the lives of His people who exercise faith, working out the normal events of life as we trust God to meet out needs we find Him faithful, trustworthy and reliable. Indeed, we can trust God and rejoice in His goodness.

As the prophet Habakkuk testified:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

As Job said Job 13:15-16 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”

 

Two thoughts: (1) Bestowment (v8-9) (2) Thanksgiving (v10-12).

 

(1) Bestowment (v8-9)

8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

 As she stepped out in faith that morning doing her duty to go to the field that her mother-in-law and herself can be sustained, she experienced God’s special favour leading and guiding her. I am sure she did utter a prayer to God asking for His leading and trusting God to lead and guide her.

She came to Boaz’s field. Ruth’s faith has been tested through much difficulties or tribulations – the journey back to Israel was faith at its best – willing to walk into the unknown with God.

Now, God is slowly unfolding His will. When Job had to endure the trials of faith through great losses, he maintained his way before God.

John Butler adds a note about the importance of keeping one’s eyes on the master’s field writing…

“If Ruth was going to do as Boaz said and gain the blessing and reward from gleaning in his field, she needed to keep her eyes focused on his field lest in looking at other fields she be tempted to go elsewhere. Going elsewhere would diminish her blessing. Here is a most needed lesson about our eyes and how much they affect our walk in God’s way. What we look at has much effect upon our life. Therefore, keep your eyes focused on the right things. Do not focus your eyes on evil or you will be tempted to leave that which is good. Many of God’s people have focused their eyes so intently on the rot of television, as an example, that they have left the field of God’s will and way for their lives. “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity” (Psalm 119:37) is the exhortation needed here.” (Ruth The Ancestress of Christ)

Ruth had her eyes focused upon her Lord and she could see with eyes of faith the hand of God’s favour upon her and she responded in thanksgiving. She had arrived at the place where God wants her to be. She found the man God would use to bestow His blessings upon her.

 

(2) Thanksgiving (v10-12)

10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 

We observe Ruth’s humble and grateful response to Boaz’s offer. She realises and acknowledges her unworthiness and accepted his grace. Falling down and Bowing gives a clear indication of Ruth’s humility and respect for authority. She saw God’s hand in that day when Boaz promised to take care of her needs but allowing her to glean in his field.

Indeed, she was a “stranger” in Israel, she was not a stranger in God’s sight.

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Likewise, God’s grace came to our lives when we were introduced to Jesus Christ, the bestower of all blessings. By faith, when we receive Jesus into our lives, we become the children of God. What great privilege.

11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 

Ruth’s life was a testimony of obedience and submission to the will of God. As Solomon advised his son, so did Ruth.

Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

She took good care of her mother-in-law. Though Naomi was often bitter and not easy to live with, Ruth loved her with a genuine love and God blessed her. Boaz saw that her piety was genuine. She was a true convert and a lover of Messiah God of Israel.

12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

She was a good example of faith in God and the blessings of trusting in God.

Ruth’s attitude and actions parallel those of Moses who Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Her reward was in God and she received her the reward of faith with thanksgiving. The psalms is filled with the testimonies of faith as we come to trust in God.

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings (Psalm 17:8) What a worthy prayer to pray!

How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.
(Ps. 36:7)

Psalm 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Psalm 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

 

CONCLUSION

Thank God for His guidance and care.