HOPE FOR THE HURTING

Pastor Bill Marks, Christian Fellowship, Potchefstroom, (018) 293 1608 or 082 260 5965 In last month’s article we saw how Naomi had experienced tragedies having left Bethlehem, and her decision to return back home because she heard that the Lord had come to the aid of His people by providing food (Ruth 1). In Ruth 2 God helps Naomi to deal with her hurt. He uses Ruth in the process who puts her faith into action by asking Naomi’s permission to glean heads of grain. Ruth 2:2-3: “So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favour.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter’. Then she left and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” Ruth’s action of faith was rewarded. Ruth 2:8-9: “Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go away from here, but stay here with my servant girls. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn’.” Here we see how Boaz responds and demonstrates his sincere care for Ruth's well-being. The second thing to remember in dealing with hurt is that God's love for you is unchanging. People may hurt, fail or even abuse you, but God will love you for eternity! Romans 8:39: “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ruth 2:10-11: “So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favour in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’ And Boaz answered and said to her, ‘It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before’.” Ruth served her mother-in-law since the death of her husband. In her selfless service, she became “Christ-like”. We should also remain humble and not become defensive or aggressive. Dealing with hurt - God’s way - is to become “Christ-like”. Ruth 2:12: “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” To heal hurt in your life, remember to glorify God, and not the pain. At the Exodus, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery, His Name was glorified. Ex. 15:11: “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?” Finally, when you are hurting, remember that “HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU.” - 2 Cor. 12: 9. Look out for a weed of bitterness. If you still think of someone who has hurt you, GO, RESOLVE THE MATTER AND FORGIVE THEM! I trust that you will receive healing and be restored again, so that you will be made whole and be used of God to restore other people's lives! Sponsored by: TG TRADERS