BIG IDEA
Because of who God is, we can embrace the unknown.
MESSAGE NOTES:
WHAT:
For the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about two things: who we are and who God is. We're talking about who we are because many of us have questions and struggles related to who we are and who we're becoming. We're going to talk about who God is because you and I are made in the image of God, our Creator. To understand who we are, we must understand who our Creator is. To guide us through these conversations, each week we're going to look at a different true story from Scripture to discover who God is and who we are too.
SO WHAT:
In the book of Ruth, we learn about all the unknowns that Naomi and Ruth faced. Even in the most uncertain times, even through their doubts, sadness and fear of what their future would look like, they still chose to follow God. Because of this, God redeemed their loss and rebuilt their family.
14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:14-17
Through these unknown situations, we learn a lot about who God is. God:
Isn’t afraid of our questions, doubts, and worries.
Meets our needs.
Is a redeemer.
Knows our future.
Has a plan.
Is in control.
NOW WHAT:
During times of uncertainty, it's easy to feel (like Naomi did) that God has abandoned you or that help will never come. That's when it's helpful to remember what God has done for us in the past. As you think about your uncertain situation now, see if you can remember a time when God came through for you in the past.
Like Naomi and Ruth, God can guide and go with you and I during times of uncertainty, and redeem what's gone wrong.
When we remember who God is, we can embrace the unknown.