DCLM Youth Search The Scriptures For November 9, 2025 : Lesson 185 - Title - Decisions In Adversities

DCLM Youth Search The Scriptures For November 9, 2025 : Lesson 185 - Title - Decisions In Adversities

YOUTH STS 

LESSON 185

DECISIONS IN ADVERSITIES

MEMORY VERSE: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16, 17). 

TEXT: Ruth 1:1-22

Orpah, Naomi’s other daughter-in-law decided to return to her people and her gods. The plan and purpose of God are unsearchable and cannot be easily understood by the human mind. No wonder the Scripture says: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). Out of the sixty-six books of the Bible, only two are named after women.

Question 1: Mention the two books named after women in the Bible.

The two books of the Bible named after women are Ruth and Esther. Ruth was a young Gentile woman who changed her destiny through commitment and faith in the unfailing God. The book of book reveals the character of Ruth in the following ways: (1) Ruth is a true story of transparency, simplicity and honesty. The Chapter one deals with her commitment, consecration and complete yieldedness to God (Ruth 1:16-18). (2) Chapter two tells us of her humility and hard work (Ruth 2:10-12). (3) Chapter three reveals her virtuous and pure life (Ruth 3:10,11). And (4) Chapter four reveals a divine reward for her great decision (Ruth 4:13,17); With her decision and devotion to God, determination and diligence in labour, she stands out as a great gem to challenge youths today. She chose, cleaved to and confessed the God of Israel to be her God. What a challenge! Elimelech and Naomi are a couple who left their home country, Bethlehemjudah to Moab, with their two sons, in search of greener pastures during a famine. Ruth, a Moabites, made a great decision, to worship the God of Israel. She was a woman of faith and faithfulness.

Question 2: How can you summarise the character of Ruth from this book?

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons” (verse 1). It is always darkest before dawn. The story of Ruth took place during the period of the Judges. These were dark days in Israel. It was a time when …there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). However, during these dark and evil days, there were still some people who had faith in God. Today, whatever we face as challenges is not greater than what the power of God can deal with if only we will trust His word. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

THE SOJORN OF ELIMELECH’S FAMILY IN MOAB (Ruth 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:28,29; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 1:24-33)

During the time of the book of Judges, there was famine in the land of Bethlehemjudah (verse 1). Due to this, Elimelech and Naomi, together with their two sons (Mahlon and Chilion) went to the land of Maob to live. But the journey to Moab was either ill- advised or not well thought through. We are not told he sought God’s guidance. Life’s journey requires divine leading and support. Taking decisions without God can be dangerous, destructive and problematic.

Question 3: What do you understand by self-sufficiency?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy” (2 Timothy 3:1,2). Self-sufficiency is taking action or decision without first seeking God for direction. It is refusing to accept and recognise the need for His guidance. Many youths today take rash decisions because of the economic situation, frequent academic disruption, joblessness and insecurity in the country. Without seeking God’s specific leading, they travel out of the country in search of greener pastures in foreign nations, sometimes, to their own detriment. Christian youths should learn to seek God guidance when making decisions. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).

Question 4: How can we avoid spiritual famine in our lives?

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:20,21). Our attitude to God’s word will determine the level at which we receive spiritual strength from Him. Through His word, we have repentance, restoration, renewal, revival and are made ready for the rapture. “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10). The family of Elimelech got to the land of Moab with a great hope of survival. The two sons grew up and got married to Moabitish women. “And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years” (verse 4). However, the events that took place were not pleasant. Elimelech died and thereafter his two sons. The consequences of resorting to self-sufficiency in times of difficulty are enormous.

Question 5: What were the consequences of self-sufficiency on Elimelech’s family?

The consequences of self-management on the family of Elimelech were grave. One, Elimelech was the first to die. Yes, anyone can die at any time. Though, he left Bethlehemjudah to avoid death through famine, he died in the land of Moab. Two, the sons also died prematurely. Three, both the father and the sons left widows behind without anyone to care for them. Four, their travelling to Moab led to the marriage with the people God had commanded them not to be friendly with (Deuteronomy 23:6). The warning from the Lord to His children today is that they should avoid self-sufficiency. As we have seen in the case of Elimelech’s family, it brought untold disaster.

THE DECISION OF NAOMI TO RETURN TO BETHELEHEM (Ruth 1:6-15; Luke 15:11-24; Exodus 2:24,25; 3:9,10; Genesis 21:1,2,6,7; Judges 13:1-25; 1 Samuel 1:9-20; Luke 1:23-25,67-80; Titus 2:1-5).

“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread” (Ruth 1:6). Naomi received information of God’s visitation to His people and took the right decision to return to Bethlehem. She had courage to return, not minding the shame of returning, without her husband and two children. She did not allow anything to hinder her from returning to the land of promise.

Question 6: In what areas are we expected to take decisions in life

The Lord expects us to take decisions in all areas of our lives. It takes faith, courage and prayerfulness to take right decisions. The first area we should take the right decision is in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of our lives. This is the greatest decision in life. This single decision establishes a right relationship between you and the almighty God and connects you to all His resources and promises. The Scripture says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). Also, the backslider must take the decision to return to the Father with a penitent heart. This was what the prodigal son did. “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18). “And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me” (verse 8). Naomi was very truthful to her daughters-in-law by explaining the cost of following her to Bethlehem Judah. She told them that there was no hope of having children that will marry them. She wished them well in their new husbands’ houses and prayed for them (verses 8,9,11- 13). At this point, Orpah decided to return to her people and their idol worship. After this, there was nothing heard of her. However, Ruth cleaved to Naomi and history was made.

Question 7: In your own words, how would you describe Naomi in our text?

Naomi was a woman that faced great challenges in life. Yet, she had good character and conduct in her relationship with others. She was a woman of faith in God. She loved God and His word, and she influenced others positively. She had courage and encouraging words for others. Naomi maintained sound scriptural standard in everything. She had patience; waiting for God to work out everything at His own time. She had a caring and loving behaviour to everyone around her. She lived a pure life and did not encourage sinful conducts. She was truthful and faithful in her dealings with her daughters-in-law. Naomi was Ruth’s mentor, teacher and counsellor. All these attributes are worthy of emulation by all Christian youths, today.

THE DEVOTION OF RUTH TO CLEAVE TO NAOMI’S GOD (Ruth 1:14,16-18; Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:20; 11:22; 13:4; Daniel 1:8,17-20; Acts 11:22,23; Romans 8:31-39)

Although Orpah returned to her people, Ruth decided to follow Naomi and her God. This decision and determination changed her life as a descendant of the cursed nation of Moab to becoming an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:4-6). Today, the Lord wants all youths to cleave to Him with a purposeful heart. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:22,23). “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16,17). Ruth’s answer proved her determination to keep to her decision that nothing would separate her from Naomi and her God. She decided to make Naomi’s people her own unconditionally.

Question 8: What are the benefits of determination to a Christian youth?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself’ (Daniel 1:8). The benefits of determination to a Christian youth are enormous. One, it will give him focus and concentration to achieve his set goals. Two, it will open door to success and achievement despite difficulties. Three, it will lead to devotion to serve God faithfully. Four, it will develop his character and transform him into a great asset for the church and the nation. Five, it will bring God’s favour and goodness upon his life. Six, it will serve as a challenge to those who choose to be lazy and indolent both in spiritual, academic or vocational matters. Seven, it will bring promotion and progress in life. Examples of youths who were determined to succeed in life include Joseph, Ruth, Esther, David, Daniel and his three friends. Therefore, be determined to succeed through God’s grace. “When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her” (verse 18). After Naomi saw the determination of Ruth, she knew that Ruth would not be distracted, discouraged or deterred in her chosen cause. She was persuaded in her decision, devotion and determination. “So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?” (verse 19). Naomi and Ruth arrived Bethlehem safe and sound. The people of Israel received them joyfully. However, the way Naomi was received has some lessons for us today. “And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (verse 20). As the people welcomed them into the city, Naomi asked them to call her Mara because she went out full and came back empty. She attributed her conditions to the almighty God who had dealt with her bitterly. This was a wrong attitude that Christian youths must avoid. We should recall that it was self-sufficiency that led to their leaving Bethlehem Judah. Christian youths should know that those who are in the will of God will always be victorious despite challenges. Instead of murmuring and complaining, we should pray and believe God for the best. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). In conclusion, we learn that decision, determination and devotion to a right cause will bring success and achievement in life. Those who decide for Jesus today will never regret in life and in eternity. Christian youths should know that determination is one of the keys to all-round success. Deep devotion to God will lead to deep spiritual maturity.