Covanental Faithfulness: Ruth 2
Notes
Transcript
Turn with me in your Bibles to Ruth chapter 2. Last week, I made mention how Ruth displayed covenantal allegiance to both Naomi and Naomi’s God. We saw that in how Ruth clung to Naomi on the road to Bethlehem. Naomi, he mother-in-law had argued with both her two daughters-in-law to go back home to their gods and their people, instead of staying with her. As you remember, all three of these women had recently lost their husbands and were in great need. As we saw last week, Orpah chose to leave, but we are told that Ruth clung to Naomi and testified that’s Naomi’s God would be her God, and her people would be her people. From that starting point, covenantal faithfulness becomes a major theme running throughout the rest of the book. The Hebrew word for such loyalty and kindness is the HBW word hesed, a word that wraps up in itself most of the positive attributes of God: His love, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, loyalty–in short, the word hesed describes acts of devotion and loving-kindness that go beyond the requirements of duty. Listen, God displays His hesed grace towards a day-by-day basis, this is how He clings to us as His children, and we too as image bearers of our holy God, are to reflect this amazing characteristic to the world around us. Ruth chapter 2 puts this covenantal faithfulness on full display. Through the words of Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi, and the actions of God, we can almost taste and see the greatest of God’s hesed love and faitfulness. I pray this morning, that this chapter will makes us all more in awe of our faithful God and challenge our hearts to display His hesed love in our marriages, in our homes, in our church, and in our world. Let’s read together chapter 2:1-17, and then we will pick up there later in the sermon to finish reading the chapter….
Today, I simply want you to see covenantal faithfulness displayed in three ways throughout this chapter.
1) The covenantal faithfulness of a woman who fears the LORD.
Last week, our text introduced us to Ruth the Moabite. The sacred text, by recording in great detail the words of her conversation and testimony allowed us a front row seat to gaze into her heart. And what we saw was astonishing. Despite Naomi’s unflattering character and depressed state, Ruth made a commitment to Naomi’s God, the God of Israel, and Naomi’s people. In one of the most moving verses in all scripture, she told her severely depressed mother-in-law, “where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (v. 16). And yet today, as we investigate chapter 2, we are going to see that her actions and her words align perfectly. You see, Ruth is not a person who simply talks the talk, she also walks the walk. You can easily argue that Ruth is the prime example of the text that was read earlier in Proverbs 31. Now, you may not know that the Hebrew Bible of the Old Testament, the books are in a different order than our American translations of that same text. In our Bible’s, Ruth comes right after the book of Judges and before 1 Samuel. It serves as a bridge from the time of the judges to the introduction of the first kings of Israel and specifically King David. But the Hebrew Bible is divided by the Law, the Prophets, and then the writings. Which is completely different order. And the book of Ruth, just happens to fall immediately after the book of Proverbs, which just happens to end with that description of a woman who fears the Lord. The Book order seemed to be laid out in a way that says, Ruth, is the one you just read about in the last chapter of the book. That’s why we asked Dan to read that text this morning, to lay foundational description of the character we see in Ruth. Notice with me several characters of a woman who fears the Lord and models covenantal faithfulness.
a) A God-fearing woman knows and obeys the Word of God.
Instead of growing paralyzed in bitterness and hopeless like Naomi, she acts in faith and walks in obedience. Let me explain. In verse 2, Ruth asks her mother-in-law permission to go to work in the fields. The text reads, “And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go into the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go my daughter.’ It’s interesting that Naomi doesn’t even both to try, she’s still in a very bitter and depressed spirit after losing her husband and children and having to humble return to Jerusalem. But Ruth takes action, and interestingly she acts on Scripture. Though she’s new to the faith, though she is a Moabitess she seems to be familiar with the law of God that allowed the poor to glean, meaning to gather up dropped grain or grain left standing after the harvesters.
This is detailed and commanded in Deut. 24:19-22, which reads… “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.” Somehow, Ruth knew this law was in place, and though not everyone abided by these laws, especially in the dark days of the judges, Ruth was hopeful that she would discover a field that belong to a God-fearing person. And so, she acts in faith, trusting that God would honor His word and provide for her and Naomi through others being faithful to the Law. What a contrast to her mother-in-law who is painted in our text as completely miserable. You see there is valuable lesson here: Don’t listen to your heart like Naomi, but listen to the Scriptures like Ruth. Place yourself under its teaching, memorize it, hide in your heart and obey it to the glory of God as your trust in Him. Ruth gives us this great example of not being paralyzed in hopelessness when difficult times come, instead she rises from the ashes and acts in faith towards Her God and His Word. Trusting that God is faithful to bless Her according to the provisional measures He had put in place for those in her specific situation. What a model for us to follow. For each of us will occasionally find ourselves in seemingly hopeless situations. And I pray, that in those moments we won’t allow ourselves to be paralyzed in our faith by the pain of the situation, but we still, even in the midst of our pain act in faith and seek to obey the Scriptures. I pray that we will exhibit faithfulness to our great and good God, who has given us everything we need for life and godliness through His holy Word. Our God is faithful to His Word, and so should we, even when life is hard.
b) A God-fearing woman models both humility and grace.
Ruth’s request to Naomi to go and glean in verse 2, reveals several honorable character traits. It shows that she is not afraid to work, that she is humble and willing to perform the most menial labor in order to provide for Naomi and herself, and it shows that she is respectful as she seeks her mother-in-law’s approval to work in the fields. Even in this one verse alone we can see that she is both humble and gracious. But the text gives us much more so that we can understand that this wasn’t just an exceptional scene, but in reality, this is who she is.
Look at verse 5 through 7 again… “Then Boaz said to the servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” Out of all the poor, the widows, and sojourners in the field that day, there was something that stood out about Ruth. I think there is something to be said here, about how obedient believers should stand out from others in our culture. There should be a radical difference about the way we go about our lives and our character that causes strangers to ask questions about or identity. Daniel 12:3 explains it like this… “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Against the very dark backdrop of our worlds, our lives as Christ followers should shine like stars because of our obedience, humility, and grace that we extend to others. But keep reading, verse 6, “The servant in charge of all the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi form the land of Moab.” Oh this text will not allow to forget, that Ruth is outsider… She’s not from around here. She’s from the other side of the train tracks… the other side of the sea. But look at verse 7, “And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.” She didn’t come to the servant in charge and say, I’m here to glean according to my God given rights according to the law. She didn’t act like one of those sovereign citizens when they get pulled over by the police who refuse to lower their window down all the way, because “they know the law.” Ruth seems knowledgeable of the law, but she comes in humility and grace and asks the servant for favor, that she may be allowed to do that which she should be able to do. I think we must assume that Ruth knows her identity as a Moabitess is controversial. Certainly, there will be field owners who would not want a Moabite, an enemy of the land, to come in work in their fields. So, Ruth graciously humbly asks for permission.
Oh how our self-entitled world is in desperate need of humility and grace. Not just in women who fear God, but in godly men as well. This integrity at the finest. A woman of virtue with a profound character. Yet there is a third character trait we must note about the God-fearing person. And that is this…
c) A God-fearing woman tirelessly works to care for their family.
Before we move on from verse 7, notice what the servant said… “Thus she has came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while now.” In other words, Ruth came to field and rarely stopped working, only taking a small break in the hottest part of the day. It notable to know that gleaning was back breaking work. It involved spending countless hours bending over picking up small amounts of grain time and time again, and here is Ruth putting most men to shame with her work ethic. Look also again at verse 17.. this was after having dinner with Boaz, an appropriate time to call it quits and go home, but notice what she does, “So she gleaned in the field till evening. Then (implying after that) she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.” That’s the equivalent to about 45 pounds worth of food, (for those of us pellet stove owners, its about a bag of pellets) which she then according to the next verse carries all the way home to Naomi, with leftovers in her hands from dinner as well. From early morning to night, with just a few breaks she labored. Through both the intense heat and pain, she endured, trusting that this was God’s will to provide her and Naomi. Think about that… So often, we know the will of God, but how often do we walk away from it, because it requires very hard work. Sadly, we not grown accustomed to life in an easy world, where hard work is rarely seen or valued. Ruth was willing to do whatever it took to have her and Naomi’s needs met. I mean just consider her day up to this point… she humbly and most likely fearfully walked up to a the servant to ask permission to glean when she must have expected to be treated poorly. Even in the field, she must have been concerned about how the fellow workers perceived her and would treat her, but Ruth seems to focus on the mission in front of her, and trust that God would somehow protect and provide for her, if she simply gave her all to God and trust in His faithfulness. And so she does just that.
Ruth is a powerful and glowing example of the excellent wife in Proverbs 31. With her work ethic, humility and grace, and her obedience to the Word of God, she paints a beautiful picture of a God-fearing woman. But listen closely to this, and please understand, that Ruth only beautifully displays God’s covenantal faithfulness, because her life had been transformed by God’s grace. In His goodness and grace, God chose Ruth not Orpah, God directed her heart to cling to Naomi, and God saved her and brought her into God’s land and into His people. She wasn’t worthy of this, she was an outsider. She was a Moabite, a sinner whom God fashioned into a God-fearer. Women in this room, please cast your eyes on Ruth and follow her example. Men value these character traits in your wives. Single men, look for these things in a potential spouse as Proverbs 31:30 says so well, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
2) The covenantal faithfulness of a man with a God-centered life.
Its seems that the author of this book wants to really draw our attention to the character of Boaz, who like Ruth is a God-fearer, in fact you can argue that Boaz equally displays the same characteristics that we listed under the previous point. But let’s examine His life, from the angle of a God-centered person, which I believe our text wants us to understand. If you notice verse 1, it almost seems strange and out of place. But we must remember in the ancient world, the writer lacked the ability to underline, use bold print, or an emoji to draw attention to things. Therefore, he begins this section of the storyline with verse 1, as a powerful notation so that we will pay attention to this man Boaz who will soon be revealed. But verse one gives us some very important information that she should not glaze over.
It reads, “Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.” Interestingly, you may remember just before these words in verse 21 of chapter 1, where Naomi in her brokenness testified that she “went out of Bethlehem full, but the Lord has brought her back empty.” She felt as if she had nothing, and yet the text is now shouting that her assessment was completely inaccurate, for she had a family member, named Boaz. Yet please don’t miss that he was also a man of great wealth. Now in our American worldview, we are thinking, wow things are going to change quickly for Naomi, because she has rich relative that can come alongside her in time of need. But that is not what the Hebrew language is stressing here. The wording in the original Hebrew language means man of valor. In other words, Boaz is a man of valor. It’s warrior language, emphasizing his steady courage in face of danger. Like some of the judges of Israel and David’s Mighty Men, Boaz is first presented to us as a savior type warrior or a man worthy of great honor. The term is also used to describe a man of integrity and uprightness. Listen up guys, God-centered men should be men of valor. Men who are loyal, full of integrity and willing to take a stand to defend the truth of God’s Word at a moment’s notice. This man, Boaz is truly worthy of all our attention, and here in verse 1, the author wants us to keep or eyes on Him.
And notice verse 4… “Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to his reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” Often in Scripture, the first words spoken by an individual are a powerful revealer of character. And like a booming thunderclap, the first words Boaz portray him as a man who has centered his life around the Lord. This is remarkable, because we have to remember these are the days of the judges, where the fast majority of the men of Israel, did what was right according to their own eyes. But yet, here in verse 4… behold! A mighty man of God in a very dark world. A man who is God-centered and has created an environment in his workplace that is grounded in God. Now, I would also argue that verse 4 allows us to gaze into the very mundane conversations of Boaz. In other words, this is the real Boaz. This is who he is in both public and private. The great theologian John Owen once argued, “What you are in secret is what you truly are.” Boaz was true man of valor with God-centered life.
And in verse 8 we begin to see more of his heart, which is revealed in his words. For after he noticed Ruth in the field, he didn’t consider himself to be above talking to a poor widow from a pagan world. Instead, in great gentleness and compassion he confronts her… notice this conversation again as Boaz speaks… he says, “Listen carefully my daughter...” Wow!!! That should jump off the page to you, because unlike the supervisor who said… she’s the Moabitess, you know from Moab, Boaz calls her daughter. He sees her as someone radically different than the workers in the field and women in streets. She’s not an outsider to Boaz. And he continues… “Do not go and glean in another field, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids.” a.) This verse really show that a man of valor is a provider. In grace he’s provides for her and Naomi’s needs.
But that’s not all, look again at verse 9, “Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.” Notice we see that Boaz, this God centered man is more than simply a provider. He is also a man of valor is a protector as well. If you read along with me, this text is full of examples of how Boaz provided for Ruth and protected her. Those two things should jump of the page to both husbands and wives, the unmarried, and or young people. Godly men will take these two roles extremely seriously. Just look with me to verse 15 and 16 again where we see both these characteristics modeled… v. 15. “When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, ‘Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her,” Protection and Provision. Look at verse 16, “Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” Again, it’s clear, Boaz is a prime example of man of valor who provides and protects.
There is one more characteristic I would like to highlight, and this is a man of valor loves like the LORD. Again and again, we are reminded that Ruth is a Moabite, she’s the foreigner who doesn’t naturally fit into their culture. But Boaz as we saw and already made mention of, treated her radically different. Instead of being someone who didn’t belong, he immediately saw her as family. This obviously came as a great shock to Ruth, so in verse 10 she falls on her face before him and asks, WHY? I’m a foreigner why are you treating me with such grace and compassion. And notice how he answers in verse 11… “Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.” Wow, what a great verse! Apparently, people were talking about Ruth and how she left it all behind to come and be by Naomi’s side, and Boaz took notice. But also understand, that this very fact about Ruth is what is moving Boaz’s heart within the story. And so, he lovingly prays for her in verse 12, “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge!” Oh pay attention that men of valor who love like the LORD pray theologically rich prayers for others in their need. It’s obvious that Boaz was a man of prayer. He did just say, God bless Ruth, help her, she needs it. Amen. No, he prays for her to be full. The two HBW words “reward” and “full” both point us to the Hebrew word shalom. The word reward is actually a verb form which noun shalom derives, And the full is the feminine translation of the word shalom. In other words, Boaz for Ruth to experience the fullness of God’s peace, perfect harmony with God, and that she would prosper under His care. Oh, how important it is that Boaz sees Ruth, not as a foreigner, but as someone who has actively made their home under God’s presence and protection.
We then immediately, see that Boaz invites Ruth for dinner. And in the back of or minds, it’s as if the author want us to feel a romance brewing. You can see in verse 14, that Boaz pulls out the good food for his workers of whom she is welcome at their table. And we told she eats until she is satisfied and has doggy bag of food left over to take home. You can imagine, how wonderful of a blessing this meal would have been to Ruth, who no doubt was hungry. But I want you to notice something here in our text, especially or unmarried family members. As we sense the romance beginning to grow. Notice the text, and in deed this entire book, never tells us what Ruth looks like. It never says she beautiful in Boaz’s sight or attractive. There may be some clues that she was, but the only description given to why Boaz is attracted to her, is her faith. Her willingness to leave everything behind to follow after God. And that is should and what does draw the attention of a God-centered man. You see, Boaz loves like the LORD. What attracts him is the heart, not the looks. Listen my unmarried friends and family… don’t miss this, the thing that should attract us the most is not looks, but a strong love for the Lord. Boaz models that for you. Now some may ask, wait a minute, Ruth is a Moabite, isn’t Boaz to avoid marrying an outsider. Yes! But Ruth is no longer an outsider in Boaz’s eyes. For she had been grafted into the family of God through faith. She’s left the foreign gods behind, which is the weight of the reason why God didn’t want Israel to marry outsiders. Therefore, as a sister in the Lord, the relationship would not be unyoked in anyway. Listen, my single friends, I know how difficult the season of you are in is. But please, don’t settle or compromise by dating or marrying an unbeliever. The Bible clearly tells us to not be unyoked in our marriage relationships. We have to obey, and not look for loopholes or excuses to disobey the Word. Because here the truth, if we obey and demonstrate covenantal faithfulness, like Ruth and Boaz, we can rest in knowing that God will pour out His divine blessing over us.
Brothers and sisters, Ruth and Boaz, what great examples to follow. They teach us how to live both a God-fearing life, and a God-centered life… there is one last model of covenantal faithfulness that I want you to see, and that is…
3) The covenantal faithfulness of God extended to sinful people.
The fingerprints of God’s love, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness towards sinful people are all over this chapter of Scripture. Let me try to reduce this overwhelming evidence to a few sub-points to consider.
a. God’s faithfulness is clearly revealed through providence.
Providence, as we noted a few weeks ago, is His purposeful sovereignty. It implies that He is behind the scenes of our world fully in control of all things, the billions upon billions of things occurring right now at this very second, not one thing is occurring in which He is not allowing, and He’s working them all so that His name will be glorified, and His children blessed.
Notice verse 3, as Ruth goes to work in the fields after the reapers the text reads, “… and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” If you have been with us for the past few weeks, we know that the author of the book clearly doesn’t believe in either chance or luck. In fact, a more literal translation of this one word “happened” in Hebrew, would be “the happenstance that just somehow happened.” The author’s intent is for us to pick up on some sarcastic like clues that he is pointing us to God’s providence. You see, Ruth didn’t just happen to stumble across a field belonging to Boaz. Maybe, in her mind in real time, that how she would have interpreted it, but no, God directed her there. Proverbs 16:9 reads, “The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.” Ruth simply planed to go and work in a field, but God brought her to the place he wanted her. To a field that belonged to Boaz, who also just happened to be of the family of Elimelech, and how also just happens to show up, for the next words we read is “Now behold, Boaz came to the field. Just think of that, right now there are about 8 billion people on the planet. And somehow, everyday there are moments like this where He directs peoples paths to cross at just the right place and just the right time. This is part of His covenantal faithfulness and providence that should stir our hearts to worship and godly fear. But that’s not all.
b. God’s faithfulness is clearly displayed in His Law.
Just a quick reminder here, that it was God’s Law that guided Ruth to the fields, and God’s Law that directed Boaz to manage his fields in the way he did. And soon, we will see tht it is God’s Law that joins these two hearts together. So often, we have this worldly impression that the Law is restrictive and somehow limits our joy. But nothing could be further from the truth! It’s through obeying His Law, that we discover the goodness and blessing of God. And this story, from Elimelech fleeing God’s will, to Ruth and Boaz obeying it, we get a glimpse of that truth. This is why its so important that we study the Word and hide it in our hearts as we live our lives.
c. God’s faithfulness is powerfully displayed in Naomi’s transformation.
Read along with me once again picking up in verse 18…
For the first time in the story, we are seeing Naomi express a little hope. The darkness of her pain and suffering is beginning to break as God’s faithfulness comes to light. Notice again verse 20, as she expresses a prayerful statement to her daughter-in-law… “May he be blessed of the LORD who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Conservative commentators have debated for years to whom the last phrase belongs to. Is it Boaz who has not withdrawn his lovingkindness to the living and to the dead or is it the LORD. I personally believe its for the LORD, even though the word his is not capitalized, why? Because, Boaz is new to the story, but it is only God who would have had the chance to withdraw His kindness, to which Naomi believed that had occurred. But, God clearly is still at work behind the veil slowly at work in her heart, and I believe she is starting to taste and see God’s kindness displayed to her through Boaz.. Also, please notice the end of verse 20,… “Again, Naomi said to her, “The man is our relative, he is one of our closest relatives.” Now, I am big fan of the NASB, but this is one of those instances where I believe they missed a better translation. The phrase “one of our closest relatives” is the one Hebrew Word “goel”, meaning redeemer. You see Boaz, being of their family, has the responsibility and privilege of caring for both Naomi and Ruth by what was known as levirate marriage. As part of God’s Law, the brother or closest relative of a deceased brother was to marry the widow of his brother or kinsman, to hopefully produce children to prolong the family name and line. And in that manner, the kinsman who stepped in to protect and provide was seen as redeemer. Naomi was hopeless, but now a redeemer has entered the picture and her demeanor and character are beginning to transform in front of our eyes. Boaz certainly points to Christ with both his words and actions. He displays all of God’s goodness and faithfulness to the marginalized and oppressed. He moves in abounding love to those who love the Law and obey the Word. Even, at this early stage of the story we are beginning to sense an unbreakable devotion to Ruth and Naomi. He’s good, gracious, kind, and loving.
But don’t miss one last thing. For I want to challenge the way you probably read the last verses of this chapter. If you are like me, at first glance, it seems that Naomi is excited about Boaz and is doing everything she can to play matchmaker. She tells Ruth, oh Boaz, he’s a redeemer, oh yes, he’s a fine looking guy, why don’t you obey him and stay in his field for sure. Cause, you know… maybe… That’s certainly one way to read the text, and probably a very tempting for us to do since we have watched countless romance movies. But what if these verses are here, for us to see the beginning of Naomi’s repentance. What if instead we read the text as Naomi saying to Ruth… Listen my daughter, over a decade ago, my family had a nearby field in which God provided for us, but when things got hard, we left thinking that there may be more for us elsewhere. That decision cost me everything. And so I beg you Ruth, don’t make the same mistake. God is blessing you there, He’s providing for you there, He’s even invited you there. Don’t leave it! For in time, these first fruits that you have brought home, will eventually prove to be a full harvest of God’s kindness and blessing. For our God is faithful.
So faithful that He has provided a redeemer. And church family, our message today is the same. If you want to experience the overwhelming goodness, love, grace, and faithfulness of God, you to, must look to a redeemer. But His name isn’t Boaz, instead He has a name that is above all names. Jesus. Jesus is the one who loves us, protects us, and provides us. And that love, protection, and provision are most clearly demonstrated on the cross. Where Jesus bled and died, by becoming your sin. There, he bore every one of your sins, He bore our shame, our wretchedness, and as He did God the Father treated His Own Son as if He saw you on the cross. He unleashed His wrath upon your sin, till Jesus died. And now, by Grace, when He looks at those who have repented and believed, He sees the spotless sinless life of His Son. For just as our sin was laid upon Jesus, through faith Jesus’ righteousness is accredited to us. And even though we still sin at times, we can and must grow in that faith through being obedient to all that God has commanded us, we do this through taking up our cross, dying to our sinful desires and trusting His way is the path to discovering His hesed love, His covenantal kindness, grace, and faithfulness. If you are here today, and you have yet to experience that outpouring of grace, I call on you to confess your sins to God, turn from them, and follow Christ, for He will only lead you into His best for you and your family. Or perhaps you are here and you love the Lord, but in all honesty you don’t fear Him, there is no awe of God in your life, and you live you your life as if there are no consequences to sinful living. Or maybe, you know your life centers around you instead of God. Will you choose today to center your life around Him and fear Him?
As the music ministry team makes their way to the front, I want to tell you of Thomas Obadiah Chisholm.He was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky in 1866. Thomas was a simple boy in many ways, he was humbly educated in a single room schoolhouse till the age of 16. A few years later, with no further education, the rural community hired him as the town’s new teacher. At the age of 27, he came to know the Lord, and was transformed by grace. About 11 years later after growing in that same grace through the ministry of the local church, with no seminary education, He became an ordained pastor. Yet, however, a year later, Thomas grew ill and remained a rather weak man for many years, so weak he could no longer do the stressful work of ministry. Later in his life, he moved to New Jersey and became an insurance salesman, but the pain and of his unknown ailment kept him from ever standing in the pulpit again. During that extended season of misery, the verse he cleaved to was Lamentations 3:22-23, which reads "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." That verse served as a personal reminder to look for daily displays of God’s faithfulness in His life and gave him great hope in the midst of his personal suffering. In time, his reflection over the truths expressed in those verse led to him writing a poem. In which he wrote these familiar words… “Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.” In all the pain and suffering, in all the hard years of winter and good days of harvest, God was nothing but faithful to Mr. Chisholm. Years later his words were put to music and became a timeless hymn entitled “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. And today, we are going to close our service by singing these words to one another in the form of a closing prayer. Pray with me and then when we will prayerfully sing with joy and hope for our Good God is Faithful!!!!