How great is our God!

 Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11. 

There is no joy that compares to a direct answer to a prayer from God.  When there is a specific, urgent need, and our dependence is cast solely upon Him, and we get to see the Hand of God move in our favor, we rejoice. 

Hannah's prayer is one that expresses her clear view of who God is and how He has vindicated her.  Her thoughts were not about herself and what she received, but how great the LORD is.  Keep in mind that she lived in a time without a Bible and without a local church.  But she worshipped God, she had been taught, and God had revealed Himself to her.v.2

"There is none holy like the LORD"

"There is none besides you"

"There is no rock like our God"

-The God of the Bible is the only God there is.  There are not multiple gods that humans may merely choose what they want to believe.  There is no one else but this One.v.3

"The LORD is a God of knowledge"

"By him actions are weighed"

-The God of the Bible is omniscient.  He knows and is concerned with the details of every life.  He is the Judge of the universe.  One day, everyone will be held accountable before Him for their actions in this life.

vv.4-5-These are two examples in a series of God's control and power to reverse human thinking and situations.  Peninnah bore sons and daughters for Elkanah, but it was this one son of Hannah who influenced a nation.v.6

"The LORD kills and brings to life"

-He holds the power of life and death.v.7

"The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and exalts."

-He is the potter.  We are the clay.  As the owner of all things, He fashions each life as He desires.v.8

"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world."

-Creation is not confined to the opening chapters of Genesis.  The God of the Bible is the Creator and Controller of all things.v.9

"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones."

-His personal care is especially demonstrated in how He protects and provides for those who are good stewards of His stuff.v.10

"The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces"

"The LORD will judge the ends of the earth"

-Those who choose to rebel against Him by their actions or by their apathy will one day pay an awful eternal price.  No one who rejects the LORD gets away with it. 

How great is our God today!

 

A godly parent's perspective on Children

 Read 1 Samuel 1. 

The times of the Judges in Israel were repeatedly labeled as "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25).  Yet, the Bible provides occasional stories of those who stood in contrast to their culture and who followed the LORD wholeheartedly.  One was Ruth.  Now, we learn about the last Judge of Israel, Samuel. 

Elkanah and his family worshipped God.  Hannah knew her husband loved her, but the emptiness she felt from having no children became excruciatingly painful.  To add insult to injury, the other wife proved fertile and used it to emotionally and verbally abuse Hannah.

As a godly woman, Hannah went to be alone with the Lord and pour out her heart to Him.  In her prayer, she made a promise.  If He would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to God's service with a Nazarite vow.  Samson was dedicated before birth with the same vow.  The High Priest, Eli, saw her in such distress but heard no sound.  He thought she was drunk.  When he realized his error, he gave assurance that she would receive the answer to her prayer. 

By the next year when Elkanah's family arrived for the annual sacrifice, God had given them a son.  It is believed that Samuel was probably three years of age by the time Hannah presented him to Eli. 

While it is difficult for us to even think about giving up a child, especially at such a young age, Hannah's statement in verse 27 is on the hearts of every Christian parent.  "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him." 

1. Believing parents pray for their children even before they are born. 

2. The LORD grants children to parents.  They are not biological accidents.  They belong to God.

Psalm 127:3-"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is his reward." 

3. The LORD lends children to a mother and father as a stewardship.

Ephesians 6:4-"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

 

Everyone Loves a Happy Ending

 Read Ruth 4. 

Boaz arrived early at the gate of the city where official business was conducted.  He obviously prepared what he would say.  He knew the man would be coming and waited for him.  At first, the deal was presented only as a real estate transaction.  But truly Boaz had only one thing in mind and that was Ruth. 

This unnamed nearer kinsman became eager for Boaz to step in.  The reason had to do with the law.  To refuse outright would have meant public shame.  The custom was that one took possession of land by literally walking upon the soil.  Symbolically, by removing his shoe the man gave up his right to walk on that soil as the owner.  Because this was a friendly transaction, there was no spitting in his face, as Deuteronomy would have required. 

The story of Ruth is an exception during the time of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes".   Here we are told that not everyone rebelled against God. 

Who does not love a happy ending?  This is one of the best in the Bible. 

Boaz became a happy husband and father. 

Naomi's bitterness was changed to praises to God for what He has done in providing for them. (v.14) 

Ruth, the Moabite, embraced the LORD, the people of God, and now a husband who had redeemed her from the destitute situation of widowhood.  She became a mother.  Indeed, she was the great-grandmother of King David.  

By the way, this story took place in the city of Bethlehem and would become known as the city of David.  Over a thousand years later, the Roman government sent out a decree that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2).  Mary and Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem of Judea for the registration.  That is where Jesus was born.  Ruth is one of five women mentioned in Matthew 1 in the lineage of the Messiah. 

It is a great reminder that as long as we have breath our story is not over.  God has a wonderful plan for our lives if we trust Him.

 

3 Lessons while waiting on God

 Read Ruth 3. 

God's plan began to unfold, but that does not mean those involved could see either when or how those plans would all be accomplished. 

The attraction between Ruth and Boaz changed in this chapter to love and commitment to each other.  Naomi knew that Boaz was a relative of her late husband.  Under the law (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10), childless widow's had certain rights and claims on the rest of her deceased husband's family.  As a near kinsman, Boaz could legally buy back Ruth's deceased husband's property and marry her.  

Naomi's instructions to Ruth in verse 3 for this encounter were to get cleaned up, dressed up, fixed up and go meet him.  However, she was to wait until he had finished his dinner.  Good idea! 

Nothing immoral is suggested here.  He is a godly man.  She has a virtuous reputation (v.10-11).  In this public place with plenty of people around, and as a servant, she warmed his feet as he slept.  No engagement ring was given.  However, spreading the corner of his garment over her symbolized his intent to care for her and protect her.  

The plot thickens.  Boaz revealed to her that there was a kinsman closer than he.  They would have to wait until morning to find out if there would be any future to their love relationship.  Then, Naomi told her to wait (v.18). 

When a friend noticed the great preacher of New England, Phillips Brooks, pacing the floor back and forth, he asked, "What is the trouble"?  To that Brooks replied, "The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't!" 

Lessons while you wait.

Lesson #1

Do all you can to make yourself ready to receive the answer to your request and then be prepared to wait for God's timing.

Lesson #2

While waiting, obey God completely and wait with confident faith in Him and His ultimate plan.

Lesson #3

Blessing follows obedience.

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see it and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.  Blessed is the man, who makes the LORD his trust..." (Psalm 40:1-4a) 

The wait will be worth it.

There is hope for Tomorrow

 Read Ruth 2. 

One of the amazing characteristics of the LORD is His omnipresence.  He works in lives of each individual at the same time, fulfilling His plans.  In this chapter, we get to see God work in three people simultaneously.  Verse 3 uses the phrase "she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz."  It may have seemed to just "happen" to her, but it was no accident.  God was in full control, leading her to the exact spot at the exact time. 

Boaz

-He was a godly and wealthy bachelor.   

-He was kind.  Notice the way treated his employees with a blessing.

-He was respected.  Notice the response of his workers to him. 

-He was attentive.  He spotted Ruth immediately and wanted to know all about her.

-He was a caring and generous man.

-He became a protector for Ruth. 

Naomi

-We learned from chapter one how she felt God was against her (1:13).

-She was bitter because of her sufferings (1:20).

-She knew the LORD but could not process her pain with her faith.

-But notice her words in 2:20.  The light went on regarding God's care and possible plan for her. 

Ruth

-She was an alien in a new land.

-She was willing to work to support herself and her mother-in-law (vv.2, 18).

-She was an attractive woman, even as she worked in the field (v.6).

-She had the reputation of a hard worker (vv.7, 17).

-She was humble in her attitude (v.10).

-She listened and followed wise counsel (vv.22-23). 

Now, all three of them had a spark of hope for their futures.  Suffering and disappointment do not have to mark the end of our hope.  Indeed, our losses may be the very stepping stones that God will use to take us to His place of blessing.

 

Today Matters

 Read Ruth 1. 

In tough times people choose how they will respond.  Some become discouraged and even bitter.  Some throw up their hands and regress in life.  Others make good decisions that set the course for their future.  In this first chapter we see all three of these responses. 

Chapter one is an introduction to three widows.

Naomi lost her husband and both her children.  She wanted to be known as Mara, which means "bitter".  She interpreted her sufferings to mean that God was punishing her.  Naomi knew the LORD but could not yet process her emotional losses. 

Orpah's response to the death of her husband was to go back to her Moabite family.  This also meant that she would return to the worship of the false gods of Moab (v.15).  She married into a family of faith in the LORD but did not personally embrace Him as her own. 

But then there was Ruth.  She suffered the loss of her husband and had no children.  Widows in that culture without other family members to support them were destitute.  However, Ruth's response to her circumstances was to make new commitments that would secure her future, indeed her eternity. 

Verses 16-17 are among the most powerful statements of commitment in all of the scriptures.  This passage has often been used at weddings, but actually it is the vow of a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law.

1. She committed herself to her mother-in-law.

"...where you go, I will go..."

2. She committed herself to the people of God.

"Your people shall be my people."

3. She committed herself to the LORD.

"...and your God my God." 

Though not of Jewish descent, Ruth had no idea how these choices would bless her life, the life of her mother-in-law, and bring her into the very lineage of Messiah! 

In his book “Today Matters”, Dr. John Maxwell wrote, “The way you live today impacts your tomorrow."  Ruth is a great example of that principle and provides an excellent model for our life decisions today...they matter.

 

The case for spiritual Leadership

 Read Judges 19-21. 

These closing chapters recount one of the saddest times in Israel's history.  The sexual immorality in the tribe of Benjamin at the time takes us back to the story of Sodom.  History is clear that homosexuality is the doom of a culture.  Verse 22 of chapter 19 calls them "worthless".  It is the last straw for God to execute judgment. 

 Human life had lost its value.  A young girl was abusively murdered.  The actions of the Levite, though gruesome, accomplished its intent to rile a nation to take action about the sin.  They rallied in unity (20:11) to "purge evil from Israel" (20:13).  Everyone suffered.  In the end, 25,100 men of Benjamin died. 

The tribe of Benjamin was the smallest of the twelve tribes.  With such great losses of men, in chapter 21 the nation agreed to a plan to maintain the tribal heritage. 

People need spiritual leadership.  God never intended for us to grow and live out our faith in Him by ourselves.  We all need to be taught, to be accountable, and to interact with others as we put the Word of God into practice. 

When the book of Judges repeats the theme "in those days there was no king", it is the dangerous reminder that they had no spiritual leadership.  "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (21:25).  In other words, left to ourselves, humans do not naturally lean toward God.  Even our faith is a work of God, the Father.  Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44). 

We all need the spiritual leadership of God's word, the Holy Spirit's control, and the accountability of a Bible teaching church.