As Chris wraps up our advent series on the book of Ruth, the main question we should ask is,”What is the lesson of this book?  What one main thing does the author want us to take away from reading this story?”

It seems the main lesson of the Book of Ruth is probably that the life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there.  The life of the godly is not an Interstate through Eastern Washington, but a state road through the Cascades.  There are rock slides, avalanches and sharp, slippery curves that make you go backwards in order to go forwards.  Along this hazardous, twisted road that doesn’t let you see very far ahead, there are frequent signs that say,”The best is yet to come.”  At the bottom right corner, written with an unmistakable hand are the words,”As I live, says the Lord!”

The book of Ruth is one of those signs for you to read.  It was written and it has been preached to give you encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns in your life lately are not dead-end streets.  In all setbacks of your life as a believer, God is plotting for your joy.  He does work ALL things together for the good of those who love Him, despite what it may look like and in spite of whatever our sins may be.  He is always working to bring His purpose to fruition.

The best is yet to come.  That is the unshakable truth about the life of the woman and the man who follow Christ in the obedience of faith.