Spiritual Strength and Trust
The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we release all our needs into God's hands and trust in His might.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength and trust in God, using the story of Ruth and Naomi as a powerful example. After the death of her husband, Ruth demonstrates unwavering faith by following Naomi's guidance to seek Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. Naomi reassures Ruth to remain calm and trust in God's plan, highlighting the peace that comes from surrendering our needs to Him. The sermon encourages believers to release their worries and trust in God's timing and provision, reminding them that God is in control of their circumstances.
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The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we release all our needs into God's hands and trust in his might.
Ruth is an example of this kind of trust. After her husband died, Ruth lived with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi was concerned about Ruth's welfare and future. So she advised Ruth to lie down at the feet of the wealthy Boaz and ask him to fulfill his obligation to her as her kinsman.
That evening, after the day's winnowing was finished, Boaz lay down "at the end of the heap of corn" (Ruth 3:7) and pulled a blanket over him. The next morning, he woke up startled, finding a woman lying at his feet. (There was nothing immoral about Ruth's presence there; this was a common custom of the day.)
Ruth said to him, "Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman" (Ruth 3:9). She was saying, in essence, "Will you take on the obligation of a relative for me? Will you provide for me?" She actually was asking, "Will you marry me?"
This was no manipulative scheme. Ruth and Naomi had done everything in divine order. We can be sure of this, because Christ's lineage came through Ruth. When Ruth returned home Naomi asked her, "Who art thou, my daughter?" (3:16). She was asking, in other words, "Shall I call you 'engaged' Ruth? Or are you still 'widowed' Ruth?"
Ruth told Naomi all that had happened. Listen to Naomi's godly advice: "Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day" (Ruth 3:18). Naomi had prayed about the matter, seeking God's direction, and God had given her counsel. He had reminded her of the law of the kinsman-redeemer (which was a type and foreshadowing of Christ). So Naomi was confident that she and Ruth had done their part. Now it was time to sit still and trust God to perform what he had promised. She was saying, "It's all in the Lord's hands now, Ruth. Just relax and be calm."
A calm and peace settled over Naomi's house. Nobody was in a frenzy, biting fingernails and wondering, "Will God do it? When will it happen?" These two faithful women could relax, sing and praise the Lord for His goodness.
Have you prayed? Have you trusted? Are you ready to sit still and "see the salvation of the Lord"? He has everything under control.
Sermon Outline
- The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we release all our needs into God's hands and trust in his might
- Ruth as an example of trust
- Naomi's godly advice to Ruth
- The importance of trusting God to perform what He has promised
- The peace and calm that comes from trusting God
Key Quotes
“The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we release all our needs into God's hands and trust in his might.” — David Wilkerson
“Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day” — David Wilkerson
“It's all in the Lord's hands now, Ruth. Just relax and be calm.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can apply the lesson of Ruth by releasing our needs into God's hands and trusting in His might.
- Trusting God to perform what He has promised brings peace and calm, allowing us to relax and praise the Lord for His goodness.
- We must learn to sit still and trust God to perform what He has promised, just like Naomi advised Ruth to do.