“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In the bible, Ruth was motivated by hope to leave her own country of Moab and travel to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi to satisfy her need for food, shelter and safety. She placed her hope not in the gods of Moab, but in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. As a result, Ruth found favor in the field owned by Boaz. She was given more than enough to take care of herself and Naomi. This was the focus of Wednesday Night Bible Study at First Timothy Baptist Church. Utilizing the book, Beyond the Sunday Sermon, Dr. Ronald Holmes’ message highlighted three key points from the text that encourages us to (1) trust the person of redemption, (2) trust the plan of revelation, and (3) trust the place of restoration.

Dr. Holmes said that Jesus is our redeemer. He saves, forgives, recues, revives, encourages, restores, heals and redeems us. What Boaz did for Ruth in the field in Bethlehem is what the Lord does for us in a time of need. Therefore, we must trust the person who can redeem us, give us hope and salvation, give us peace and purpose, and give us provision and possibilities. When we trust our redeemer, he will always give us more than enough (2 Corinthians 9:8). The Lord will never forget us because he is the lily of the valleys (Solomon 2:4). He is the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16). He is the living bread (John 6:51). He is the living water (John 4:10). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Therefore, we must trust the person of redemption.

In point two, Dr. Holmes said we must trust the plan of revelation. God has a plan for our future. He has a plan for our church, community, nation and world. Just as the Lord told Habakkuk to write the vision and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2), we must do the same.  “For the vision is yet for an appointed time though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:3).  On this note, Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu had a vision and plan of revelation to eradicate apartheid in South Africa through non-violence. They were so determined to change the system in South Africa that imprisonment of Mandela for 27 years did not defeat their plan. In fact, it motivated and propelled Mandela to become president of South Africa and transform the political governance and legal constitution in South Africa. For Ruth’s protection, Boaz had a plan of revelation to ensure that Ruth stayed close to his young men in the field until they had ended all the harvest.

For point three, Dr. Holmes said we must trust the place of restoration. As believers, we sometimes leave the appointed place of restoration where God has placed us to be such as a job, worship and fellowship. Subsequently, we lose our joy, peace, purpose, and restoration. In the bible, Naomi confirmed the place of restoration for Ruth to stay beside the workers in the field. She said, Ruth, “It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field” (Ruth 2:22). As a result, Ruth “kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley and of wheat harvest;” and she received her blessing.

The next bible study is on November 6 at 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. (EST). The lesson is, “Lame Man Dancing: Getting More than You Expected” from the book, Beyond the Sunday Sermon. The book can be purchased online from Amazon.com. To virtually attend the bible study, go to the First Timothy Baptist Church’s website, YouTube or Facebook.

For your review, below is a link to the bible study on October 23 on the lesson”Take Up the Cross: Loss Is Gain.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 27 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. His books for children cover topics on the coronavirus, solar system, flowers, careers and school bullying.  His books for adults focus on religion, relationships, hazing, workplace bullying, bipolar disorders, issues in education and completing the dissertation.