Part IV: It Was All in God’s Plan

Synopsis of 9/24/23 Sermon

Delivered by Joseph W. Walker, III

Ruth 1:6-17 NKJV 
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.” 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!” 
14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 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.”

INTRODUCTION 

1. There is nothing more powerful than the plan of God over our lives. It is important to know the plan of God is always in motion, even when we are unaware that He is moving.
2. Things happen often that we don’t understand. Even if we don’t understand what’s happening, doesn’t mean anything isn’t happening. If anything, we miss the move of God, because of our loss of focus. What ever happens in our life is intwined with God and his plans for our lives.
3. When we reflect over our lives, you can see that some things have happened so that other things could happen. We can see that all things have worked together for our good. Other things happen that don’t make sense, know that it all has purpose.
4. This story today is to make you understand the importance of your decisions, your character, and being in the right position.
5. Everything that happened to you was for a purpose. It was all part of God’s plan. Whoever left you, whoever came, whoever released you from a job, all of it was part of God’s plan.
6. In order to understand todays lesson real good, you have to know about the key players of this text. This book is set during the time of Judges. The mother (Naomi) had two sons that perished. They were Moabites although Naomi originally came from Bethlehem but left because of the famine.
   1. Moabites came from the linage of Lot. Lot had a son called Moab and from him came the moabites.
   2. Moabites were polytheistic which meant they served many gods. The Children of Israel served the one true living God.
7. Naomi’s sons died as well as her husband and she got word that the famine had ended in Bethlehem, where she was from. At this news, she decides to go back, but on the way, she urges the daughter-n-laws (her dead son’s wives) to stay in Moab. She had no more sons to offer them to marry and she was too old to have any more sons.
   1. Naomi had two daughter-n-laws. One was named Orpah and one was named Ruth.
8. Oprah said she was going to go back to Moab. When Orpah goes back to Moab and she gives birth to 4 sons that were giants. One of her sons would be Goliath (of the David and Goliath story).
9. Ruth decides she wanted to stay with Naomi. She refused to leave Naomi’s side.

THE COURAGE TO LEAVE THE FAMILIAR 

• Whenever you encounter something great, you have to have the courage to leave the familiar. One example of this is when God spoke to Abram who later Abraham and told him to go to a land that he would show him. Abraham had to leave his land.
• The Disciples also left what was familiar to them also. They left their occupation of being Fishermen to embrace the assignment that God had given them.

1. Don’t Be Paralyzed by The Pain in Your Past 

1. Naomi was uncovered meaning she did not have the covering of a husband. The enemy tries to pull you into anxiety and depression when you are down.
2. During this point and time, Naomi’s pain was both personal and public. She refused to be paralyzed by what had happened. You can’t wallow in your pain and and let it cause you to miss the door that God has opened up for you.

1. To Get What You Never Had, You Must Do What You’ve Never Done 

1. If you want something different you got to do something different.
2. You have to be willing to be:
3. Focused and Obedient – You can’t doubt God, even if its uncomfortable.
4. Faith to set out in the Opportunity – You have to have the faith to step out when opportunities come.
5. Free from Opinions – You have to be delivered from opinions of people.

THE COMMITMENT TO BE LOYAL AND FAITHFUL 

• The plan of God requires you to be both faithful and loyal.
• The measure of loyalty is those people who are loyal to you until the end.

1. Be Connected to Destiny and Not Other’s Decisions 
2. Ruth has to make a decision about her own destiny. She has accepted that she is going back Naomi’s birth country. Whether or not anyone agrees, she knows what she wants to do.
3. When the feelings of others get greater than your Promise, this causes problems. You will miss your destiny listening to other people’s opinions.

1. There Is a Difference in Convenient Attachments and Spiritual Connections 
2. Ruth is spiritually connected to Naomi, but Oprah is just conveniently attached to Naomi. Some people in your life are only transactional and not spiritually connected. You can tell this, because the moment that you stop giving to them what you have been giving them, you will see that it was never meant to be a transforming relationship.
3. Ruth is in a transformational situation. She sees God in Naomi. Some of you would rather be in Moab instead of walking into what God has for you.
4. People with loyalty have:
5. Character– They live in integrity.
6. Consistency– They are intentional about what they do.
7. Capacity– They have a way of pushing greater out of you.

THE CHARACTER TO LABOR IN THE FIELDS 

• Naomi and Ruth finally get to Bethlehem. When they get there, Naomi had to explain. She wanted Ruth to know that they had to work in this new place. They had to work in the fields. No one would take care of them, like they did in the land they just left.
• There comes a moment where yo have to:

1. Be Willing to Put in The Work 
2. Whatever God has for you, will find you working. Your blessing will find you working.
3. When You Serve Your Name Comes Up Where You’ve Never Been
4. When Ruth worked, she did so with so much excellence, she got noticed in the field. When you are working, know that there is always somebody watching. If you work it, God has someone out there wondering who you are.
5. You have to keep serving and doing what God told you to do.

THE CORRECT LOCATION TO BE FOUND 

• It is about our decisions, our character and position.

1. When You Are in His Will, The Blessing Will Find You 
2. Boaz instructed people to leave some grain behind just for Ruth.
   1. You won’t have to chase stuff. Stuff will find you if you are in God’s will.
3. The blessing of the Lord doesn’t go to people. Often God sends his blessing to places. This is why it is important to be in position.
   1. Example: Often, there is a play designed for the Quarterback to throw to a certain spot on the field, instead of to a Receiver. This is why, when the Receiver comes off the line, there is someone on the opposing team that tries to bump them off of their route. The ball is thrown while the receiver is running to a spot. When the Receiver gets to the spot, what is the air will meet them in that spot. God has something already in the air. You just have to be in the proper spot at the proper time to receive the blessing.

1. God Will Use Your Story to Change Your Status 
2. Boaz is the owner of the field. Oprah had the kids, but Ruth is going to get the property.
3. This is your season for restoration!
4. Final Analogy: You’re at the back of the line. It’s important that you stay in position. People think people are passing you up, but what they don’t know is God is going to flip the line. He’s going to turn the line so that those who are in the back will now be in the front!