Ruth 1:1-5

New Series: Ruth—

God’s providence = the truth that behind everything in our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly, God is there

.

(1) When we fall into difficult times, we sometimes

in God (v. 1).

• A lack of confidence in God, can lead to a

.

• The heat of life either softens the heart or hardens it, depending on what a person

.

(2) When we drift away from God, we can grow

from the faith we once embraced (v. 2).

• It is a slow fade that begins as we grow tired and weary of circumstances where it seems God is

or isn’t moving as fast enough.

• Pretty soon, we find ourselves unusually

living in a place that wasn’t meant for us—or good for us.

(3) When tragedy strikes, it often delivers what feels like a fatal blow to everything we once knew or believed about God (v. 3-5).

• When we find ourselves in difficult times, God can become confusing to us, and we can forget that

working out his purposes and inviting us to come back to the place and space that’s near him.

Conclusion:

The truth about God’s providence: God is a

—who buys back the junk and transforms it into something good.

Regardless of your circumstances, God’s providence is working right now showing you God is, and can, and does work!