Ruth Gleaning in the Fields. Painting by James Tissot, 1896

Are you starting over? Is it a new job, a new home or hometown, a new relationship, or a new phase in life? We all face times of change and even upheaval, but it’s a perfect time to return to God and prayer, forgive the past, and look for God to go before you. Join the podcast today as the Book of Ruth shows how to start over and notice God’s footsteps walking ahead of you.

Finding Joy in Tough Times ~ Starting Over & Noticing God’s Footsteps Episode #4

Finding Joy in Tough Times is a seven-part series. Today, we will cover these points:

Ruth Gleans Forward (Ruth 2: 14-16)

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• Working in the fields was strenuous and hazardous(v. 9) but Ruth gleaned forward.
  
• Ruth did not look back or hold on to the past. She gleaned forward.
  
• She was not stymied by bitterness or self-pity.
  
• With Boaz’s instructions, Ruth’s first day of gleaning was very successful!
  

Naomi’s Surprise & Bitterness Surrendered (Ruth 2: 17-19)

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• Ruth beat out an ephah (eefuh) of barley– hard work!
  
• Ruth showed Naomi 30 pounds (5 ½ gallons) of Barley
  
• Naomi notices God’s Footprints of guidance and blessings.
  

Changed Outlook – Our Nearest Kin (Ruth 2: 20-23)

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• Now Naomi has a change of mind and heart.
  
• She is confident God has not forsaken them.
  
• Boaz is the Goel (Deuteronomy 25: 5-10) – the closest male relative, the kinsman redeemer
  

Ruth Gleans for Three Months (Ruth 2: 23)

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• Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s fields for Barley & Wheat Harvest, which lasted three months.
  
• A blessing can be a simple prayer asking God to share his loving kindness, guidance, and favor on another.
  
• The Jewish Midrash “A widow or a female convert must wait three months before marrying to make sure she was not pregnant.”I Will Go Where You Go
  

Personal Reflection & Application

What impacts you most from Ruth 2: 14-23?

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2. Start Over & Give God Your Bitterness & Receive His Joy. Do you feel bitter about anything? If left to fester, disappointment, grief, unforgiveness, and unresolved anger can lead to bitterness. Bitterness is a joy-zapper and will stop any new beginning. When life seems unfair, we are prone to turn from God and allow bitterness to take hold. Instead, ask the Lord where you have any bitterness or unforgiveness, then confess it and ask the Lord for his glorious grace to dispense bitterness and start over. (You likely need to forgive yourself or another person or God). Only by God’s glorious grace can you go forward. Naomi told her friends to call her Mara – the Bitter one. But she returned to God and the faith community. Declaring her bitterness was a confession at this time. She started over. Now, she notices God’s footsteps and you can sense the joy that come across her face. Remember Ephesians 4: 31-32 and pray Psalm 51:10.
   

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• Look for God’s Footsteps. God is with you. He is for you. He is guiding you. In Ruth 1: 20, she said that God made her life bitter and sent her trouble. But in Ruth 2: 20, she notices God’s footsteps ahead of them and how he provided abundantly for them via Boaz, so she exclaimed. “The Lord always keeps his promises to the living and the dead.” (Good News Translation). Do you need a change of heart? Ask God to help you see his footsteps in your life. He will show you how HE is guiding you and showering you with his loving kindness. Memorize and pray Lamentations 3:22-23.
  

Links

Seven Part Series Finding Joy In Tough Times

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• Part 1 
  
• Part 2
  
• Part 3
  
• Part 4
  
• Part 5
  
• Part 6
  
• Part 7 
  

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• Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy small group study with your friends.  It’s free, and I will send you a study guide for discussion and Scripture reflection that accompanies each podcast.
  
• Click here to read about hosting a CUP of JOY Women or Gathering small group and to sign up.
  
• Download Bookmarks from the podcasts: WrapYourselfinJOY.com 
  
• Check out more podcasts here!
  
• Find my books:
  
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  • Wrap Yourself in JOY: Find the Joy and Fight the Fear
    
  • Esther for Such a Time as This: Prayer, Reversals & Joy
    
  • Nehemiah: Rebuilding Hope & Joy in Your Life
    
  
  
  

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