Sudden Crisis

Week 1
Main Point and Overview:   

Can you imagine going through “that kind” of pain! You lose your husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law all within a short period of time. In the culture of that day, women did not have the financial and physical opportunities that they have today. All of a sudden, comfort and contentment was “out the window” for these three ladies. They were now faced with the inevitable problem that they needed to “fend for themselves.” Not only had they lost the most important men in their lives, but now, they had to figure out how to avoid starvation. Sometimes in life, we make plans. Maybe it’s retirement plans, maybe it’s moving plans, maybe it’s a new profession plan; then, everything changes! We are left in a situation that we could never have anticipated, and we can feel the pressure of life as it squeezes the hope and joy right out of us. When these moments occur, what are we going to do? How are we going to handle the “crisis?” For Ruth, she decided to trust in a foreign God, one who she had not “grown up” serving. She decided to selflessly follow her mother-in-law back to Israel where Naomi once lived. She decided to take it “one day at a time” trusting in the God of her mother-in-law. In comparison, Naomi lost all hope. She saw her life as a disaster, and she sunk into a deep depression…at least initially. The story of Ruth is one of comparison and contrast. Ruth chose to “be better” while Naomi chose to “be bitter.” Each one of us is faced with the same “watershed moment” in times of crisis – will I trust God and keep moving forward, or will I spiral into agony and defeat? In all transparency, who could blame Naomi? She lost her Husband and her two sons in what seemed like a “moment’s notice.” She experienced excruciating pain that most people will never face. Even so, God had a plan for both her and her precious daughter-in-law. The lessons were just beginning. The opportunities were not that far behind. It’s really important that disciples of Jesus prepare themselves for the “storms of life.” While you cannot anticipate exactly what is going to happen, you can strengthen your resolve by placing your confidence in an unfailing God. Check out Ruth; she did it! It wasn’t easy, but it was possible…with a faithful and loving God!