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In Ruth chapter 1, the text tells the story of Naomi and Ruth, who faced hardships in Moab after their husbands died. Naomi decided to return to Judah, urging her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab. While Orpah chose to go back, Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi, showing great loyalty and devotion. Ruth expressed her commitment to Naomi, declaring that she would go wherever Naomi went and that Naomi’s people and God would be hers as well. Naomi eventually accepted Ruth’s decision, and they both traveled to Bethlehem together, where they were met with surprise and questions about Naomi’s changed demeanor and circumstances.

Naomi and her family compromised their faith and values for food and security by heading to Moab. The end result was that they were at risk and suffered consequences for leaving the covenant land.

How do we Respond When God Allows Suffering

What to do when it seems like God is not keeping His end of the deal.

 

When is it right to use practical wisdom to make a change?

Use practical wisdom when the Word of God does not speak to that change, or when you are not sensing the Lord’s guiding hand in the potential change.
If the Lord is desiring a change in your life, HE will make it clear, and He will base it on Biblical principles and direction.
PEACE is needed and necessary in changing times, and when a “change” is before you, and there is no clear-cut Biblical direction presented to you, use practical, logical wisdom.

What’s the difference between making a change out of fear that God won’t provide versus making a change out of confidence that God will provide?

Change out of fear that God won’t provide:

I’m gonna call it as I see it: You have a trust issue!
God is not a God of fear!
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).

Change out of confidence that God will provide:
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).
What part of “EVERY NEED” do we, God’s people, not understand?

 

Where does prayer come into this?

If you are doing this in your own wisdom without prayer, that’s a problem.

Why?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV).
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:31–32, ESV).

 

Are you consulting the counsel of the godly?

Seek guidance from godly experts in specific areas or with relevant experiences. Follow their suggestions based on God’s Word.
We thrive in community with fellow believers, studying God’s Word and following Christ daily.
Spend time with people who have faced similar experiences or succeeded in desired areas. Learn from their wisdom and counsel.

 

Read what the Word of God says about this:

  • “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    But he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
  • “By pride comes nothing but strife,
    But with the well-advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10).
    “The ear that hears the rebukes of life
    Will abide among the wise.
    He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
    But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:31).
  • “Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
    That you may be wise in your latter days” (Proverbs 19:20).

 

Can we disobey God to achieve security?

We can always disobey God; every day, we have those opportunities before us! Disobeying God to “achieve security” might “seem” like you are secure, or you might see that there is an immediate “straightening out” of things at the moment of disobedience, but choosing to disobey God will almost always lead to more problems, challenges, and even greater insecurity!

“Obedience Confirms Our Standing in God” – Piper.

If we are choosing (and it is a choice) to be disobedient, even for the illusion of security, it speaks loudly to where we are standing in our relationship and view of God and His provision and sovereignty!

 

How do people pursue their own security, which results in more insecurity?

  • Work 80 hours a week because they are afraid they won’t have enough.
  • Invest everything they have to build bigger barns:
    “And He told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.”
    ‘Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”
    ‘But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
    ‘This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God’” (Luke 12:16–21, NIV84).
  • Working unnecessary jobs on Sundays.

 

What to do when God allows suffering?

Where was Naomi before her move?
There was a famine in the land (Bethlehem – House of Bread, but there was no bread!), and in those days, everyone was struggling.

Where was Naomi after the move?
They may have gained some amount of food security, but they lost everything else that mattered most. They lost the core of their family. Naomi eventually traveled back to Israel and wanted to change her name to Mara because she was bitter.

 

The hope comes when we connect this story to Jesus.

  • If you are still in the promised land and struggling with not having enough, trust Jesus. There might be wise, godly things you can do to help meet your needs and build your trust in the Lord. But it needs to be part of the Christian community. Be in the Word and be in fellowship with those around you as you look for wisdom. We don’t have to leave God’s community to get ourselves in a safe place or find security. Security found in any place other than Christ is no security at all!
  • God is bigger than your mistakes. If you’ve already left God’s “promised land” for you, then you have left wisdom and prudence. You may be questioning if there is a way back. There is! Jesus is ready to receive! (Matthew 11:28-30). Even when Naomi left Israel, God did not abandon her. God provided for her and for all humanity through a new daughter-in-law, who then found a new husband, who had a new baby, who gives us a new life and a new hope.
    • Naomi was married to Elimelech, and they had two sons, Kilion and Mahlon. When a famine struck Bethlehem, Elimelech moved his family to Moab.
    • Naomi’s daughter-in-law Ruth married Boaz, and they had a son named Obed.
    • Obed became the father of Jesse, who became the father of King David of Israel.
    • King David is a famous ancestor of Jesus Christ.
  • Jesus Christ is with and for those who have wandered from the path of wisdom. God will provide a way back, especially for His children! God is not afraid of the big mess, especially the big mess that we make from the decisions we make without seeking Him! Our Lord, over and over, takes our messes and makes them beautiful.
    Some examples of “our” mistakes are:

    • Joseph’s story
    • David & Bathsheba
    • The Death of Christ

Stewardship Application

  • Should you keep tithing when the world around you is falling apart? Wouldn’t God understand if you stopped following God’s plan for stewardship so you could pay your bills and stay out of debt?
    • Is this your “big mess”? Or is it something like it? Or do you know someone with a “mess” that is similar? The answer is: When would disobedience to God’s standard, to God’s pattern and plan for our lives as seen in the Word of God, be a reason to “ignore” the Word and how we ought to live and practice as laid out in the Bible? The answer is NEVER!
  • Trust—do you TRUST in God as your great provider?
    • Do you trust Him enough that when the challenges come your way, deviation from Him and His Word is not an option?
  • If you are struggling with your finances, with your stewardship of what God has put into your care, please accept this invitation and come to the throne of Jesus. Pray regularly, seeking His provision in your life. But beyond praying—TRUST! Trust in the Lord that He can and will provide for you as you stay obedient to Him. Also, be wise with what you have and steward it well.
  • Finally, seek out godly counsel. Do not be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:7, NIV84). Considering scheduling a free personal stewardship review. 
  • God is sovereign over all of our choices. Now, that doesn’t mean that we should go out and do things and ultimately think that God will bring good out of our foolishness. We shouldn’t sin that grace may abound (as Paul speaks about in Romans 6:1-2). But we need to know that no matter what decision we make, even if it’s the wrong decision, it is within the sovereignty of God. But let’s strive to trust in Him, follow His Word, and seek godly counsel, especially when trying and suffering times come your way!
    Remember—HE is closer than a brother to you!

 

Next Steps

 

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