Responding to Adversity

Ruth 1.1-18

All of us will experience the winds of adversity in our lives.
We live in a fallen sinful world.

Here in the opening of Ruth we are given lessons on how not to respond to adversity. These are things we want to steer clear of when adversity comes to us.

In the Psalms we a re given insight into adversity and afflictions:
Psalm 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I obey Your Word.
Psalm 119.71-72 It was good (beneficial, rich, excellent) for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees. The law from Your Mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Hymns and books and ministry have begun out of pain in a person's life. God has a school of brokenness from which few enroll and even fewer graduate. God wants very much people who will live in pain. He wants broken vessels.

Embracing the Cross of Christ is not easy. In fact it is very difficult. When it shows up in adversity or affliction our first inclination is to do every thing we can to avoid it. This is natural.

1. Do Not Lean On Your Own Understanding. vs.1-2
Do not try and figure things out. God is allowing this and His thoughts and ways are higher than ours and beyond our finding out. Do not be a detective in your own situation.
Do not move, flee Naomi and Elimelech abandoned the covenant land of Israel along with their sons. Don't exchange God's Promises for you "wisdom" or wit.

Those who go to the world or their own understanding for help are more likely to become a weeping widow like Naomi or a prodigal son. Failing to trust God brings great pain and misery to the soul.

Rather than lean on your own understanding, or move or flee or escape in any number of ways, look to the LORD. Seek Him! Adversity should drive us to call out to God.

As you seek the LORD you will eventually

2. Find God's Grace in Your Difficulties vs.3-6

The prodigal son got up and went back home to the Father's house.
He went back (in his mind and heart) as a hired servant,
Naomi journeyed back to Bethlehem.
She described her perspective in verses 16-21
What awaits a soul who returns to trust in the LORD, who returns to His plan in His Grace is beyond their wildest dreams and imagination.

These afflictions the Psalmist spoke of are not to be taken lightly. The can be a browbeating, bring about depression, result from being dealt harshly with. We all have been knocked for a loop at times. That is what he is describing. They also can bring about a gentleness in the soul, a humility and a submission to Christ. They hurt deeply but they cut into attitudes in us which are no like Christ. As we listen to what God is saying we become still and silent before Him.

In verse six we see that
Naomi heard.
She believed.
She acted by leaving Moab.

The way back is open. Humiliating but good, very good.

3. Love the LORD No Matter What Happens. vs.7-18
Many like Orpah or Demas (II Timothy 4.10) run well for a while than drop out because the world is still in their hearts.

Bethlehem may have been in Orpah's mind but Moab was in her heart. Remember Lot's wife. She looked back. Orpah looked back and went back.

Ruth is an example of faithfulness affliction, of love for the LORD in the face of adversity. The words of Job ring (2.10) Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? Good is the same word (towb) that the Psalmist uses in Psalm 119. The word for trouble in the opposite.
Ruth, David, Joseph, Daniel - all suffered. They entered into the fellowship of His suffering; The community, association, communion of those who experienced calamity and affliction but also the power of the resurrection.

Endure it. God will work through and in times of adversity to do in your heart what could not be done any other way. God works through life events. He works in us what is well pleasing in His sight.