How God Turns Pain Into Purpose
Pastor David Cawston | Jesus and The Kingdom of God | Part 9 | June 29, 2025
Selected readings from the Book of Ruth
When they arrived in Bethlehem the whole town was soon buzzing: “Is this really our Naomi? And after all this time!”
“Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back.
Boaz married Ruth. She became his wife. Boaz slept with her. By God’s gracious gift she conceived and had a son.
Naomi took the baby and held him in her arms, cuddling him, cooing over him, waiting on him hand and foot.
The neighborhood women started calling him “Naomi’s baby boy!” But his real name was Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.
Ruth 1:19-20; Ruth 4:13,16-17 MSG
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?[a]
And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?[b]
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NLT
“Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
What began as a tragedy, God transformed into a triumph.
· God is kind to do anything cruel
· Too wise to make a mistake
· Too deep to explain himself.
1. God has a plan for everyone.
God is concerned about all people regardless of race, nationality, or status.
Men and Women are both equally important to God.
There is no such thing as an unimportant person in God’s eyes.
But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. 1 Corinthians 1:27 AMP
2. God uses “little” thing to accomplish great plans.
“it just so happened.” Ruth 2:3
3. There is Hope Amidst Despair.
“ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 NLT
As a believer remember when you face what feels like a dead end:
· You are not forgotten.
· You are not alone.
· You are not disqualified from God’s purpose.
Everyone needs to know that God has a Redeemer in place who can rescue you from the devastation of your own sin.
God is at work behind the scenes bringing about His divine purpose.
His name is Jesus!