Committment

“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 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 1:14-17

This scripture is probably the most well-known one from the Book of Ruth. It is often quoted in marriage ceremonies, where a man and a woman pledge their lives to one another, to love, honour, and cherish until death parts them.

These verses reveal so much about the characters of both Naomi and Ruth. What lessons can we learn from these two:

• We all influence others, especially the people we live with. They are watching how we react to difficulties and problems. Ruth had learned of the Hebrew God in the home where she had spent her married life. She had watched Naomi as she went through the deepest trials of her life, losing first her husband and then her two sons. Never had she seen anyone bear her anguish so bravely. Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, was not able to give people the comfort and peace that Naomi had received. Ruth saw something that she desired to have.

• A relationship with God is worth whatever it costs. At this point, Ruth had no idea that she would become the ancestor of David and be included in the lineage of Jesus. To fulfill what God had planned for her life, she too had to pass through discipline, including the loss of her husband, and now knowing that her mother-in-law was returning to her home. She realized that obeying her heart, would mean separation from her family and culture and that she would become a stranger in a foreign land.

• God requires all – no turning back. Ruth had come to love Naomi with all her heart, and this gave her a desire to learn more about Naomi’s God. She made a lifetime commitment: “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.”

• God knows the future and as we step out in faith His plan will unfold. Like Ruth, we may not understand everything that we are going through, and how things are going to turn out. But we can trust His promise in Roma ns 8:28: “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.”

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have a plan and a purpose for each one of us. You have placed us where you want us and guide our steps each day. Help us to manifest your love and mercy to all those you put in our path today.

Devotion by Anne Johnston