“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”
Ruth 1:16 (KJV)
Ruth the Moabite demonstrated a deep sense of loyalty, love, selflessness, and unwavering support towards Naomi even though there was no material obligation as a daughter-in-law. However, the most significant point to note is Ruth’s strong desire to have a relationship with our God (Yeshua), the God of her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Persons of those qualities are rare to find; especially coming from a different culture and belief. Our deepest wounds are sometimes inflicted by the ones we hold dear to us as well. Remember the account of Amnon who deceived his sister Tamar and then forced her to lie with him, which defiled her in the process? (2 Samuel 13:4 -19 KJV). Thus, we need to be sure of who’s standing alongside us and what are their motives.
Reflecting on my early teenage years, I vowed with my closest friend to have a long-lasting friendship. Over the years I celebrated her success and supported her in times of pain. Friends, in my first year of marriage, I discovered that our friendship was based on disloyalty, bitterness, envy, and seeds of discord which were vented toward me. This created serious turmoil in my marriage but God held my hands through it all. Coupled with prayers, I overcame, and this year I celebrated fourteen years of marriage.
Today, ensure you stay in God’s Word in every situation and ask him to send ‘Ruths’ in your direction and not the Cain spirit of jealousy and anger – (Genesis 4:8-9) (KJV). He can do it.
Read: Genesis 4:6-9; Proverbs 18:24; Psalm 121:1-2; Psalm 34:19
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 104:1-18; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6; 2 Chronicles 33:21-25; 2 Chronicles 34; 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
