Bible Text: Ruth 3:6-18 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Decision In The Dark, Ruth

1.  Are we prepared for the moral challenges that will come our way? “Our strongest moral decisions are the ones we make before a tempting situation strikes.”  (One Year Study Bible NLT)  “Are you consistent in your moral principles even when no one is watching, willing to forego pleasure to do what would please God?” (Life Lessons)

2.  Joseph is a Biblical example of one who was prepared (Genesis 39:2-12).  In the face of relentless temptation, he considered the consequences of failure.  He felt deeply his responsibility to Potiphar, and especially his responsibility to God.  When the moment of truth came, he fled, rather than compromise his moral commitment.

3.  David is a Biblical example of one who was unprepared (2 Samuel 11:1-25).  He shirked his responsibility (he stayed behind when he should have gone to war), he looked when he should have looked away, he pursued Bathsheba, he ignored the pointed reminder that she was married; he tries to cover his sin, first with subterfuge, then with the deaths of Uriah and others, and later justifies cold-blooded murder. 

4.  To avoid moral failure, we must:  make a commitment to God; not get into compromising situations, if we can help it; not play with immorality in our thought life; ask ourselves (and even make a list of) what would be the consequences for moral failure, what would we stand to lose; realize that our body is God’s dwelling place, and thus no longer ours, but purchased by Him with a dreadful price.

5.  God begins to fill the emptiness in Naomi’s life.  Where once she felt abandoned, empty and bitter, God makes provision for her, an encouragement to all who feel a sense of emptiness in their lives. If there is an emptiness in your life right now:  don’t give up, trust God’s goodness; be open to God filling you in other ways, if that’s His will; be other-focused not self-focused; ask God to help you see the good things in your life right now; don’t expect to understand it all, avoid asking “why?”; don’t envy others who are experiencing fullness; and don’t fulfill the emptiness in illegitimate ways.