SundaySermon - Vipin - Under the Wings of God

Under the Wings of God

Verse: Ruth 2:12

12 “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

The book of Ruth is one of the few books named after a woman. Ruth was a foreigner and came to Israel and found shelter among the Children of God - Israel - under the Wings of God

It was probably unheard of, for a woman to take a bold step to travel with her widowed mother-in-law. The character of strength is picturized by Graceful Pillars

Verse: Psalm 144:12

12 “May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace.”

Ruth was this pillar, and possibly the weakest/despised in Israel. We are all called to be that strength in spite of our weakness. We can find that strength under the Wings of God. 

  • We are Called to the Wings of God.
  • We are to Journey to the Wings of God
  • We are be Under the the Wings of God

Called to the Wings of God

What was graceful about Ruth? Perhaps nothing. The people she belonged to - Moab - came about because of an incestous relationship. But God lifted her and called her the friend of God. 

Ruth - means friend of God. What is the status of the friend of God? God could not keep a secret and revealed it Abraham.

Journey to the Wings of God

Elimelech and Naomi moved with his family because of a famine. Famine are difficult situation. We may not understand famine but we all can understand difficult situations. And difficult situation causes us to search for a way through. And if we are directed by the voice of God during this time, we will be satisfied.  

Verse: Psalms 37:19

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

And hence the dependence on the Word of God is important. The world may offer different coping mechanisms. But this may lead to death 

Verse: Prov 14:12

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Return to God

Perhaps Elimelech lost his way because this left Naomi widowed and childless. She was left with her daughters-in-law. Naomi decided to get back to God and come back to Bethlehem. She journeyed back and remember .... we can all come back to God no matter where we are in our relationship with God.

There is another kind of famine that is more detrimental - famine of the Word of God. Imagine walking through life without any advice or help!

Verse: Amos 8:11

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Testing

When we decide to journey toward God, there are a tests that comes your way. Ruth was tested too…. She was urged to go back considering the safety provided  her parents. But her response was 

Verse: Ruth 1:16

16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God

Naomi stopped urging her when she saw Ruth was determined to journey back with her. And Jesus also spoke on these lines as well. 

Verse: Matthew 8:20

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Unfortunately nothing was ever spoken about the man who heard this from Jesus. He just disappeared from the story. Again Jesus talks about the price you need to take to follow Jesus 

Verse: Matthew 10:38-39

38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Bitterness

You might think that Jesus is not making our journey back to God easy. And so it is important to watch your heart because we might become bitter with life.

Verse: Ruth 1:20

20 Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara for the almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Pauls reminds us as well 

Verse: Hebrews12:15

15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.

It is also important to watch your words during this time. 

Verse: James 3:10-11

10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[a] these things ought not to be so. 

11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

Being under the wings of God

Gleaning was implemented for the poor and the stranger. This allowed for the encounter with Boaz. Ruth was encouraged to stay in the field of Boaz and she was a hard worker. This time of despair was not an excuse to slack.

Verse: Proverbs 10:5

5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son. He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Are we sensitive to God and working towards the Kingdom of God. The opportunity is now and we need to explore how we can be of use to God. This exploration is the world that you are in - your work, your family etc. And remember God is no debter

Verse: Ruth 2:12

12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel .... 

A few chapters later, Ruth was married and provided for. And perhaps the story should have ended as …. "They lived happily ever after". Well the story didn't end with her life. She was the mother of Obed, and Jesse and of Kind David...... and of Jesus!!!

Conclusion

We may not fully understand what God is doing in our lives. But what God can do if we are under his wings ..... no eye has seen, no ear has heard....

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