Trading Bitterness for Boldness
Ruth 3
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES:
Whether discipline from the Lord or experiencing the effects of living in a fallen world, we will have seasons where we've been dealt a bitter and bad hand.
When you realize that God is enough, you can trade bitterness for boldness and experience God's betterness.
You can risk it all because God is all you need!
DIGGING DEEPER
Naomi had a bold plan, which she presented to Ruth. First, Naomi told Ruth to prepare for the evening by washing, dressing in her finest clothes and putting on perfume. Naomi also told Ruth how she was to approach Boaz during the evening of the harvest celebration. Second, Ruth did exactly what Ruth told her to do humbly. Third, Boaz acted in honor toward Ruth and Naomi. He rewarded Ruth's devotion to her family and willingness to be a humble servant to Boaz and God, as Boaz planned to redeem Ruth as his wife, as her kinsman redeemer.
Naomi and Ruth continued to be in a vulnerable position. They were women who were widows in a society where that was a considerable disadvantage. But through all the troubles, trials and tests they faced, Naomi did not give up hope. She thought about their situation and made plans. These plans were not without risk for Naomi and Ruth, but they both went forward, trusting that God would take care of them.
Just as Naomi and Ruth had to be boldly courageous and put themselves into the hands of their almighty and wonderful God, so do we when we face trials and seemingly impossible situations. Ultimately, our faith and trust must be in God as we submit humbly to Him, surrendering to Him and His plan for our lives. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, "‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Just as Ruth was able to lay down at the feet of Boaz knowing that God was in control, so we can rest at the feet of Jesus, giving Him our burdens and cares, knowing He will bless, protect and keep us through all things.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Main Point
When you realize that God is enough, you can trade bitterness for boldness and experience God's betterness. (The definition of betterness is the quality of being superior.)
There will be seasons when we are dealt a bitter and bad hand.
These bitter hands can affect your attitude, erode relationships, rob us of joy, blur perspective, zap energy, and force us into survival mode if we let them.
Five bold trades can help you exchange bitterness for boldness, so that you can experience God's betterness.
When you realize that God is enough…
1. You'll trade mourning forever for moving forward.
There is a time for mourning! But we aren't called to mourn forever. There comes a point in time when we must move forward.
When you realize God is enough…
2. You'll trade cynicism for confidence.
Naomi was finally beginning to realize after years of hardship, heartache and hurt that God wasn't against her. God wasn't trying to ruin her. God hadn't abandoned her.
When you realize God is enough…
3. You'll trade hubris for humility and selfishness for service.
Being a sore loser and becoming bitter in life is rooted in pride and self-centeredness.
True boldness comes from a place of humility and service.
When God is enough, you can surrender, submit yourself and start serving someone else.
When you realize God is enough…
4. You'll trade retreat for risk.
What Naomi asks Ruth to do is risky.
Principle: Ruth's risk is rooted in God's revelation. That's the only reason she could take such a large, bold calculated risk.
We have no right to boss God around and ask him to do what we want him to do.
We don't ask out of hubris, out of pride, out of self-centeredness; no, we boldly ask him to do what he has already revealed to us he wants to do.
Make sure you root your risky request in His revealed revelation!
Make sure your risky request comes from a posture of humility and service!
You can trade retreat for risk because you realize God is all you need.
When you realize God is enough…
5. You'll trade your emptiness for God's excess.
You'll trade your closed hands for open hands.
With the Lord, you are never empty-handed.
Asking ourselves five questions can help us understand whether we need to trade our bitterness for boldness or whether we are living in the boldness.
-Are you moving forward in life?
-Do you have confidence in God and His relationship to and with you?
-Is your daily posture one of a humble servant?
-What kind of risky/bold prayers are you praying?
-How are you experiencing the Lord's excess? His betterness?
When you realize God is enough, you'll trade bitterness for boldness and experience God's betterness.
LIFE APPLICATION
Consider a problematic situation that you are faced with. Think about ways to honor God through this situation as you boldly consider options for action, even if they are risky. Examine these questions that will enable you to evaluate your situation and trade any bitterness into betterness.
Are you moving forward in life?
Do you have confidence in God and His relationship to and with you?
Is your daily posture one of a humble servant?
What kind of risky/bold prayers are you praying?
How are you experiencing the Lord's excess? His betterness?
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What situation required you to be brave and do the right thing?
What risks did Naomi and Ruth boldly take with their plan to provide a husband for Ruth?
How was the advice wise that Naomi gave Ruth as Ruth followed through on their plan?
How did Boaz respond to Ruth when he realized she was at his feet on the threshing floor?
How did Boaz do the right thing when considering the next steps in his relationship with Ruth?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Protection - Psalm 46:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10
Day 2: Security - Psalm 17:8; Psalm 9:9-10; Psalm 16:1
Day 3: Responsibility - Colossians 3:23; Galatians 6:2; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Day 4: Humbleness - Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 22:4; Ephesians 4:2-6
Day 5: Honor - Romans 12:10; Proverbs 29:23; Proverbs 22:4
PRAYER
Lord, help me be faithful and courageous like Ruth. In difficult situations, let me be humble and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even when I am unsure of the outcome of what God is leading me to do next. Put wise people in my path who can provide counsel that is biblical and honoring to You. Let my faith be in You no matter what my circumstances may be. Lord, I am thankful that you are putting all the pieces of my life together and know everything you have planned for me in the days ahead. Let me rest in the peace of knowing you love and care for me.
