Redemption Road: When God Restores What You Lost (Part 2)Sample

Ruth: Victor, Not Victim

It was my sophomore year in college. I was going through a stressful time with financial aid and worried about whether I would be able to complete the semester. My best friend at the time (whose name ironically happened to be Faith) and I were hanging out in my dorm room, and I started to lament. Before I could get too comfortable, she got up and said, "If you're going to just mope around, I'm leaving."

My jaw dropped open as I went from offended to irritated to downright angry. How insensitive! She left, and I dismissed her as not understanding the pressure I was feeling. Sometime later, of course, I realized she was right. I was a child of God. I had overcome similar struggles my freshman year, and she, better than most, had seen the faithfulness of God in both our young lives. No matter how desperately I wanted my pity party, she would not stand for it. Looking back on that encounter, I am grateful.

As we wrap up our study of Ruth, there is one final lesson to learn: restoration is not a spectator sport, it requires participation.

When you and I are going through a difficult season, it is human to get weary, but we must understand that the enemy specializes in exacerbating our weariness. If he can amplify our exhaustion and turn it into paralysis, we are rendered useless. Thankfully, God has an antidote.

When God begins the work of restoration in our lives, He often calls us to do something, starting with obedience. Rarely do we get the entire picture of what our journey will look like; He typically reveals our course one step at a time. For Ruth, her participation began when she chose to stay by Naomi’s side and glean from her wisdom.

In Ruth 3, Naomi gives her specific instructions, which, when followed, led to specific results. Subsequently, Ruth won the favor of Boaz and became one of only five women in the Bible mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Although her story ends well, it started with pain that could not be downplayed, dismissed, or faked. What is most admirable is that she chose not to wallow in that pain. Like my friend Faith urged me, I encourage you to do the same. One of the best ways to stop the enemy in his tracks is by intentionally rejecting the victimhood posture and taking our rightful position as victorious. By doing so, we can actively participate in our restoration story as God reveals each step to us.

Tomorrow, we will start to look at Job, another person who reminds us that our reality might say that there is no hope, but spiritually, God is always at work.

Prayer:
Father, I do not want to be a victim. Your word is clear that you are with me every step of the way. Help me to understand that, not just in my mind, but in my heart. I pray that my experiences would attest to the truth of that Word. I pray for the grace to obey you every step of the way. Thank you for the victory that I have in you.