How do you respond?

Note: Before you get started reading this post, it would be great if you can read over Ruth 2, the first half (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+2&version=ESV found here). Last week, we looked at how Ruth committed herself to God, and Naomi, and now in Chapter 2 we are seeing how she responds to her situation and how God provides for her because of that commitment.

Last Wednesday in youth, the invitational song was a prayer of commitment saying 'I'll follow you into the world', and I thought about how that so many times I have been scared of committing to God, because I have been nervous about where in the 'world' He may need me to follow him to. You see, when we commit to Christ, He may put us in situations that we may not like. Take Ruth, because of her commitment, she was now in a foreign land, a widow trying to scrape a living for both her and her mother-in-law, and had no prospects of marriage. And yet we see that Ruth responded to this situation with:

Humility (Ruth 2:2)

Ruth asks Naomi if she can go to other people's field and reap the orphan's and foreigner's portion( Deut. 24:19-22). Even though the Israelites were commanded to do so, she states that she will check beforehand to make sure it's okay with them. This shows how humble Ruth is to accept what is the 'poor people's' portion of the harvest.
We also see that Ruth responded with:

Trust

Ruth trusted God to provide for her. This is something we can all relate to, since there comes a time when we have to rely on God to take care of our needs, whether physical or spiritual. God saw Ruth through, and he will see you through as well. Sometimes I see a situation and think there is no way out, or no way I can make it through, but God always provides, and I can trust that he will take care of me(Jeremiah 29:11) .

Diligence(Ruth 2:7)

Ruth didn't mope or complain, but went about her mission with all her strength. How would the story of Ruth worked out differently, if she had been lazy or moped? Once God has put you in a situation to do something he has called you to do, how do you work at it? Do you  complain or do it halfheartedly?

Because of how Ruth responded to her situation in the first half of Ruth 2, we see how God provided for her in the second half. If we respond to bad, or unpleasant situation (really any situation!) then God has a chance to use us, and show us how he can provide.