Faithfulness

 “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ”

Ruth 1:16 ESV


Ruth had no earthly reason to follow Naomi back to Israel. Ruth was a Moabite, from an enemy people. It's not like Naomi seems to have given much reason to follow the God of Israel either.

Naomi's husband and sons (one of whom was married to Ruth) had died in Moab. It seemed like God had cursed them. It seemed like Naomi had nothing to offer Ruth.

Yet in the midst of all that, Ruth made one of the most powerful declarations of faith in all of Scripture. She clearly loved Naomi deeply. She was even willing to pin her hopes to Naomi's God.

By Naomi's own assessment, God had dealt bitterly with her. Yet Ruth was willing to put her hope in him. It's as though Ruth had more faith than Naomi, but thankfully God was gracious to both.

'God, be our God. May your people be our people and may your dwelling place be our everlasting home. In Jesus' name, amen'.

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