Where is God in the
Midst of Troubles?
Ruth 1
In those days there was no king in
Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges
21:25 ESV)
The Book of Ruth occurs during the
time of the Judges. The story begins with great tragedies and reveals
Ruth’s struggles to understand where God is in the midst of them.
Ruth 1:1-5
Life for the Ephrathite family took
a harsh turn, even before they left Bethlehem to live in Moab.
It is easily seen why Naomi would
make some assumptions about her life and about God.“Call me Mara
(bitterness) for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me…
the Lord has brought me back empty, and the Lord has testified
against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me”
(1:20, 21).
All of these statements were true.
However, God was doing far more than exercising judgment and
calamity; he was also demonstrating great mercy and grace.
Ruth 1:11-14
Despair and
depression is a dark and isolating place. Naomi was in that
place—“Turn back [go away from me] for my life is bitter, stay
away for your sake for God’s hand is against me” (1:11, 13).
Naomi doesn’t know what God is
doing behind the scenes and she doesn’t see his grace expressed in
people near her, but he was very much at work. He would take all of
this tragedy and use it for the good of her family, her nation and,
remarkably, he would use it to bless the whole world.
Faith may or may not allow you to
see the invisible movement of God, but it is certain to develop your
trust in the sovereignty of God.
Much of what Naomi was expressing
was right: God’s existence, God’s sovereignty and even that God’s
hand had come against them. What she did not understand and see is
God’s grace and mercy that was unfolding as well.
Joseph (Genesis 37-50) and Naomi
experienced great hardship and calamity, but their understanding,
faith and response was different. If your theology is not complete,
then you are going to end up with bitterness like Naomi, and if your
theology is biblically based and full, then you’re going to have
the peace like Joseph.
Naomi: The Lord has gone out
against me. Call me “bitterness” for the Almighty has dealt very
bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back
empty. The Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought
calamity upon me. (1:13, 20-21)
Joseph: You meant evil against
me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20 ESV)
We must trust that for those who
love God all things work together for good, for those who are called
according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Faith will allow you to open your
eyes to see the signs of God’s merciful and gracious purposes that
are often woven within the fabric of suffering.
Faith doesn’t become embittered
with God when he doesn’t heed our prayer, “Take this away from
me.” Faith moves us to trust God, who sovereignly moves in our
lives. It is with grace and mercy—which is greater than our pain
and suffering—that God accomplishes according to his purpose for us
and others.
Ironically, it is Ruth, the Moabite,
who reveals great understanding and faith in God.
Ruth 1:15-18
Four aspects of faith that I wish
were evident in each of us (adapted
from John Piper):
Faith in God that sees beyond
present bitter setbacks.
Freedom from the securities and
comforts of the world.
Courage to venture into the
unknown and the strange.
Radical commitment in the
relationships appointed by God.
Lessons Learned:
There is always purpose in the
battle. Sometimes we spend too much time and energy trying to
alleviate the battle when God sovereignly and purposefully has
brought us to the battle.
Not only may God be found in
the midst of your pain and suffering, but more than likely he has
placed someone near you to help your faith and spiritual sight. You
should authentically share your burden with them.
Your steadfastness will
strengthen the faith of others.
There is grace and mercy in
life’s details that are often easily overlooked. Naomi saw her
emptiness, but failed to note that God ushered her home at the
beginning of the harvest.
God is bigger than you, your
difficulty and your suffering.
