‘But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God…” When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.’ – Ruth 1:16 -18 (NKJV)
Are your affections fully grounded in Jesus? The Word of God, according to 2 Corinthians 4:7, declares, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” It is so profound to have and experience the love and fullness of God. This makes me think about Ruth, the Moabite.
She was exposed and found this love in the God of Naomi, her mother-in-law, a love that Naomi gave even in her pain. Ruth chose to follow Naomi, who had nothing to give except this love. While Ruth’s only plan was to care for and love Naomi, God used her tragedy for His honour and glory. God had a plan of redemption – even though her ethnicity may have disqualified her, her heart of love and declaration qualified her. She became a blessing to Israel.
Ruth’s love for Naomi was selfless; she only shared that which she was exposed to. What are you exposing to people around you today? Can they see or feel the love of God emanating from you? Romans 5:5 (NKJV) says, “… hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The other day I felt in my spirit to hug a very disruptive student at school. This was only possible because of God’s love. Allow the love of God within you to impact the life of someone. All He (Jesus) needs is an available vessel. The love God has for us is immeasurable, and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us.
Ruth gave up her land, family, and a god to serve the God of Naomi — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of hope, the God of new beginnings. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) states, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Because Ruth followed her heart and went with Naomi to Bethlehem, her influence on others increased. Ruth went from being a foreigner to being someone who was respected, blessed, and honoured only because she chose to love the true and Living God. Who are you following today?
Read: 2 Samuel 16:17; Psalm 11:7
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 58; John 6:1-24; Judges 9
