[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]
During the past few weeks we have enjoyed a teaching series based on the book of Ruth. Four sermons and one ‘Going Deeper’ have given us plenty of things to think about.
However, is it appropriate to simply ‘enjoy’ these sermons? Indeed what is the purpose of a sermon? Is it simply a clause in the pastor’s contract of employment? Should it be more than an interlude of verbal entertainment?
The preparation of an effective sermon requires the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and some significant effort on the part of the writer. The same applies to the weekly reflections in ‘Yours’. At HBC we are blessed with those who are willing to put in the necessary effort; it seems a pity that their achievements pass into history so quickly.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2 v29 [BSB]
Sermons are often called ‘messages’; that implies both a sender and a recipient. If we really thought that the sender is God and we are the intended recipients, would we not pay a bit more attention? The story is told of a newly-appointed minister who preached the same sermon for six consecutive weeks; eventually an elder asked “Don’t you have any other sermons?” to which the minister replied “You haven’t acted on the first one yet!”
There is no shortage of action in the book of Ruth. It starts with a man taking his family to a foreign land in search of a better life; in due course that idea turns sour and his destitute widow returns to the place that she had once known as home. Those are circumstances that have many parallels, even in our own times. How many times have we thought that the grass would be greener elsewhere? So often we find out that the reality is not as we had expected.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19 v21 [ESVUK]
The story of Ruth is essentially an example of God making provision for his people, both short-term and over many generations. But it required action on the part of each of the characters in the story. Are we willing to make an effort to be part of God’s provision for those around us?
Maybe we are sufficiently blessed to be able to replicate the role of ‘guardian-redeemer’, offering help to those in need, or perhaps our role is like that of the harvester who ensures that there is provision for those coming after us. There is the manager who co-ordinated the harvest activities but earlier there would also have been those who ploughed the field and planted the seed. Even if we feel more like Naomi and Ruth there is their example of getting out and doing something about it.
To close, some words from Charles Spurgeon:
Let us learn from Ruth, the gleaner. As she went out to gather the ears of corn, so must we go forth into the fields of prayer, meditation, the ordinances, and hearing the word to gather spiritual food.
‘Morning and Evening’, Charles Spurgeon.[1]
References:
[1] ‘Morning and Evening’, Charles Spurgeon, CCEL. reading for 02nd August.
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Last week’s reflection: Make It Mine!
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys