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As a Christian, there is probably nothing anymore important in the Christian life than understanding the will of God and undertaking the will of God. Finding the will of God and following the will of God is an essential, expedient, and exciting part of being saved. George W. Truett said: "To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge; to find God's will is the greatest discovery; and to do God's will is the greatest achievement." Miriam Booth, daughter of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was a brilliant and cultured woman who began her Christian work with great promise and unusual success. However, disease brought her to a point of death. A friend told her it seemed a pity that a woman of her capabilities should be hindered by sickness from doing the Lord's work. She replied, "It's wonderful to do the Lord's work, but it is greater still to do the Lord's will." Someone has said, "Out of the will of God there is no such thing as success; in the will of God there cannot be failure." A major key to being blessed of God is the will of God. Cecil Rhodes once wrote: "If there is a God and He cares for men, then the most important thing in the world is to find out what He wants me to do and to do it." David Livingstone once said, "I had rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of God than on the throne of England out of the will of God." Listen closely to what Alan Redpath said: "I say without hesitation that if every Christian were submitted to God's will, we would have continuous revival. The whole tragedy of the Church is that Christian men and women, born-again, redeemed by the blood, indwelt by the Spirit, still raise their big ‘I’ and refuse to bend before the Lord. The thing that puts the brakes on Holy Spirit revival, that raises the bar against God's mighty blessing and the outpoured floodtide of the Holy Spirit's power, is Christian men and women who will not submit to the omnipotent will of God." Someone has said, "There is nothing wrong in the world but wrong will, and nothing right but right will. To will aright is to will what God wills." A believer that refuses the will of God is rejected for the work of God. If I want to experience God's work in my life I must do God's will for my life. In the story of Ruth and the passage before us, there are some lessons that we can glean concerning the will of God. As we have seen in this chapter, Ruth is learning and growing in her Christian experience. In the process she is confronted about being obedient to Boaz and the blessings of doing so. The first truth I bring to your attention is that the will of God is a: 1. DISCLOSED PLACE OF SERVICE Notice Ruth 2:21, “And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.” Also we read in Ruth 2:8, “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” As we review these words we see: A. An Understanding Of The Will Of God. Ruth declared unto Naomi, "He said unto me." Boaz had made his desires for Ruth known. He had spoken his will and he had shown his will. He had said in effect, "This is what I want you to do. Stay in my field." Paul said in Ephesians 5:17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” If God has a will for our life (and He does), then it stands to reason that He wants us to know His will. If He wants us to know His will, then He will show us His will. I believe there are two major reasons why people do not know the will of God. One has to do with the failure to do what is already known to be the will of God. We know that we are to be faithful to Church. We know that we are tithe of our income. We know that we need to pray and read our Bibles, yet we are often disobedient in these matters. I think of what Jesus said in John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but him that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” The key to knowing what you don't know is doing what you know to be the will of God. If one will not do what has been revealed, they will not do what will be revealed. Another reason people don't understand the will of God is that they want to check it out first and then decide if that is what they want to do. We want to make sure it fits our plans and preferences. Someone wrote an imaginary letter from Paul in response to the call from Macedonia:
"DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Doubtless you will recall the invitation you extended to me to come over into Macedonia and help the people of that section. You will pardon me for saying that I am somewhat surprised that you should expect a man of my standing in the church seriously to consider a call on such meager information. There are a number of things I should like to learn before giving my decision, and would appreciate you dropping me a line, addressing me at Troas.
First of all, I should like to know if Macedonia is a circuit or a station. There is another item that was overlooked in your brief and somewhat sudden invitation. No mention was made of the salary I was to receive. I have been through a long and expensive course of training; in fact, I may state, with reasonable pride, that I am a Sanhedrin man, the only one in the ministry today. Kindly get the good Macedonian brethren together and see what you can do in the way of support.
You have told me nothing about Macedonia beyond the implication that the place needs help. What are the social advantages? Is the church well organized? I recently had a fine offer to return to Damascus at an increase of salary, and am told that I made a very favorable impression on the church at Jerusalem.
For recommendations write to the Rev. Simon Peter, D.D., at Jerusalem. I will say that I am a first-class mixer and especially strong on argumentative preaching. If I accept the call, I must stipulate for two months' vacation and the privilege of taking an occasional lecture tour. My lecture on "Over the Wall in a Basket" is worth two drachma of any man’s money. Sincerely yours, PAUL"
That is only an imaginary letter in Paul's case but it is not so imaginary in many cases. We want to approve the will of God before we answer the will the God. Doing the will of God is like taking a blank sheet of paper and signing your name at the bottom. Then letting God fill in the page with whatever He so desires. Boaz made known to Ruth what He wanted her to do. God will make known to us what He wants if we will yield ourselves to do whatever He may ask. We also see in these words: B. An Undertaking Of God’s Will. Notice in Ruth 2:23, “So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.” We see Ruth understanding and undertaking what Boaz wanted. He said and she submitted. There is comprehension and compliance. There was the orders of Boaz and the obedience of Ruth. The Will of God is not some theological course to ponder but a personal call to pursue. Paul said in Ephesians 6:6, “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Now you may be someone who feels that you cannot do much for God and that you are limited. I think about a story I read about a psychologist, an engineer, and a theologian that were on a hunting trip in Canada. The weather began to get bad so they started looking for shelter. They came upon a small, isolated cabin. They knocked on the door, but no one was at home. The door was unlocked, so they walked on in. As they stepped inside, they saw something strange. There was a large, pot-bellied, cast iron stove suspended in midair by wires attached to the ceiling beams. They were all puzzled as to why the stove was elevated from the floor? The psychologist concluded: "It is obvious that this lonely trapper, isolated from humanity, has elevated his stove so that he can curl up under it and vicariously experience a return to his mothers womb.” The engineer theorized: "This man is practicing laws of thermodynamics. By elevating his stove, he has discovered a way to distribute heat more evenly throughout his cabin." The theologian speculated: "I'm sure that hanging his stove from the ceiling has religious meaning. Fire lifted up has been a religious symbol for centuries.” While they were debating the matter, the trapper returned. They immediately asked him why he had hung his pot-bellied stove by wires from the ceiling. He said, "Had plenty of wire, not much stovepipe." You may come short in some area's, but God has a purpose, plan, and place for your life. Our place is not to question the what, why, or even the when. Our place is to obey and say yes! God wants us to understand His will and undertake His will. The second truth I call to your attention is that the will of God is a: 2. DELIGHTFUL PLACE OF SERVICE Notice Ruth 2:22, “And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.” What Boaz had asked of Ruth was not a burden but a blessing. What he had commanded was not something that discouraged but delighted both Ruth and Naomi. The will of God is more than a job, it is a joy. Naomi said, "It is good.” What Boaz wanted her to do was good. Nothing any greater could have happened to Ruth than Boaz telling her to stay in his field. I say unto you, there is nothing any greater that can happen in our life than God saying, "This is what I want you to do." I have known people that regretted not doing the will of God, but never have I met anyone who regretted doing the will of God. I think of what Paul said in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In what ways was it good for Ruth to stay in the field of Boaz? First, there was: A. The Resources Of The Field. The resources of the field were many. For one thing we see that she found protection in the field. Notice in Ruth 2:9, “Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.” Boaz saw to it that no one laid a hand on her or took advantage of her. She also found provision in the field. Notice in Ruth 2:15-16, “And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” Boaz saw to it that her every need was met. The will of God is the greatest place of security and supply one could ever hope to find. I think of the little saying, "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." Amen! Furthermore, there were: B. The Relationships Of The Field. Ruth came to Bethlehem knowing no one but Naomi. But in the field she developed relationships with others. There were the “men” (Vs.21), and the “maidens” (Vs.22). She became acquainted with those of Boaz' field. I think of the dear friends that I have all over this country. Why do I know them? How did I meet them? It was by being in the will of God. The special relationships we have with others are part of being in God's will. I am often reminded that if I had been in another field, I would not enjoy the relationships that have been my delight. Then most importantly there was the Master. By being in the field each day Ruth was near Boaz on a daily basis. She was near and with Boaz each day because she was in his field. The most delightful part of being in the will of God is the closeness you enjoy with Him. A person out of the will of God is out of fellowship with God. To follow God is to fellowship with God. John Wesley in his journal tells of how he visited a dear woman that was ill in bed. She had buried seven of her family in six months and had just heard that her husband was missing at sea. Wesley asked, "Don't you ever fret at any of these things?" She replied with a loving smile on her face, "Oh, no! How can I fret at anything which is in the will of God? Let Him take all, besides; he has given me Himself. I have learned to love and praise Him at every moment." All who are in God's will can say, "This is good!" The third truth I call to your attention is that the will of God is a: 3. DEVOTED PLACE OF SERVICE Boaz not only wanted Ruth in his field, but also wanted her to stay in his field. Notice Ruth 2:21, “And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.” Also we read in Ruth 2:23, “So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.” She was told to stay in the field until the end of the harvest. We read that she obeyed and stayed in the field as directed. The will of God is a place of devoted service: a devotion that lasts until the end of the harvest. Devoted service is: A. Continual Service. She was to work in the field each day. Day by day, the command of Boaz was that she be in his field. We are to do the will of God day by day, devoted to His will and work. Devoted service also involves: B. Completed Service. She stayed in the field day by day until the harvest was in and completed. We are to know the will of God, obey the will of God, and do the will of God until our work or His work is done. During the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, the engineer that was over the construction was injured. For many months he was confined to a bed and a room as an invalid. Each day his wife would carry his orders and the plans to the workmen. Finally the great bridge was completed. The invalid architect asked to be taken to see the finished bridge. He was placed on a cot and carried to a place where he could see the great structure. He scanned the work intently. His critical eye ran over the great cables, the massive piers, the mighty girders. He noted every detail carried out precisely as he had dreamed it in his dreams and wrought it out in his plans and specifications. And then with a joy of achievement filling his soul as he saw and realized that it was finished exactly as he had designed it, he cried out: "It's just like the plan; its just like the plan." I want to do His will and stay in His field until He calls me home or comes after me. I want to be able to look upon His face and hear Him say: "It's just like the plan!" |
