Despondent Faith
Summary of Despondent Faith
We met again as a church this past Sunday afternoon. And we welcomed our guest speaker Evan Cruse, a Fellow from University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. He pointed our attention to Ruth, Chapter 1, and explained the issues experienced by Elimelech, Naomi, and their family as they tried to escape a famine in Israel by traveling to Moab. After experiencing many sorrows, including the deaths of her husband and two sons, Naomi’s faith became dejected and despondent.
After these tragedies, she resolved to return to the land promised by the Lord. She knew it would open her to the potential for shame and disrepute among the Israelites who had remained in the land. Yet she made plans anyway. She evaluated whether the Moabite widows of her sons would come with her, to be among her people and to have the LORD as their God, or if they would prefer to stay and remarry in Moab. Though one daughter-in-law decided to stay in Moab, Ruth decided to come.
From Ruth 1, we see that Naomi’s faith is despondent. But we also see that her faith is active. And even when she feels weak and bitter in spirit, God is able to use Naomi’s real faith to bring Ruth into the covenant people of God. We may think that genuine faith always appears to be strong, confident, and happy. But the Bible acknowledges that people with true faith sometimes pass through seasons of despondency.
Applying the Text
In light of this passage, Evan encouraged us, at our church in Mount Pleasant, to be aware of people who may come through our doors. Some of them may be coming with a weary, despondent faith. How can we care for these people? What would it look like for us to welcome them, and to encourage them toward a faithful perseverance in faith? We may feel weak. Our faith may seem despondent. Yet as we press on in the obedience of faith, God can still use it for much good.