The Providence of God in Redemption - Love's Rest

Temple Baptist Church - 9-22-2019

Ruth 3:1-18

Introduction:

A.  What a blessing this morning to be saved and resting in the work that our Lord Jesus Christ finished.  Here in the Book of Ruth, we are looking at the Providence of God in Redemption.

“Redeem how I love to proclaim it; redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!  Redeemed by His infinite mercy; His child and forever I am!”

1.  We live in a world of unrest!  People trying to find happiness in all the wrong places.  The more that they have, the more unsatisfied they become.  The reason: they will never find rest in things.  The more that you get, the more that you want.

2.  Many of God’s children live in restlessness.  The things of the world, that we are not to love, have a strong attraction upon our flesh.

3.  Restlessness is found when our trust is in things that are perishable.  Money comes and money goes.  Beauty soon fades away.  Homes and automobiles began to need repaired, remodeled, or replaced.

B.  I believe that Ruth’s salvation began in chapter 1 when she said, “Thy God, my God.” 

1.  What a beautiful Old Testament example of saving faith!  Ruth turned her back on the things of this world when she turned for the idolatry of Moab and followed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

2.  We that are saved today have turned our backs to the world and placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s FINISHED work: the gospel: death, burial, and bodily resurrection.

C.  One of the most important aspects of salvation is salvation’s rest.

Isaiah 32:17-18  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.  (18)  And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

D.  Salvation’s Rest is found in two different areas of salvation.

1.  Resting from our work in salvation.  Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2.  Resting in our work after salvation.  Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

E.  In chapter 3, Ruth finds Rest in her Redemption.

1.  Love’s Rest is a Virtuous Place.  Verses 2-3.  “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee”  Ruth bathed and put on a perfume that would be pleasing to Boaz.

2.  Love’s Rest is a Particular Place.  Verse 4.  “mark the place where he shall lie”   We rest in the place of His choosing.

3.  Love’s Rest is a Near Place.  Verse 4a.  “and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down”   Uncover His feet and lie there.  A place of humility and closeness.  Humbly at His feet we bow.

4.  Love’s Rest is an Obedient Place.  Verse 4b.  “and he will tell thee what thou shalt do”   A place of His will, not ours.

5.  Love’s Rest is a Protected Place.  Verses 6-9.  “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman”   The safest place in the world is under His wings!

6.  Love’s Rest is a Blessed Place.  Verse 10.  “Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter”  Physical, monetary, and spiritual blessings abound in Christ.

7.  Love’s Rest is a Trusting Place.  Verse 11-14.  “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest”  Call unto me and I will answer thee.  God give us the desires of our hearts.

8.  Love’s Rest is a Satisfying Place.  Verses 14-17.  “Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her”  But MY God shall provide all your need!  And he “laid it on her!”

9.  Love’s Rest is an Assuring Place.  Verse 18.  “Sit still, my daughter”  Resting in Christ is patiently waiting upon His way, His place, and His time!

10.  Love’s Rest is a Rewarding Place.  Verse 18.  “for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day”  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.