Bible Reading: Ruth 1, 2, 3 & 4. Luke 8:1-28.
“And Ruth said, Entreat 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 remained faithful to Naomi in spite of the difficulties that were encountered. She did not only decide to follow Naomi, she was committed to her even after recognising that she may not be able to have another husband. She made up her mind to follow Naomi in spite of the challenges. Her commitment was total. She stated in Ruth 1:16 (KJV), “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:” She was completely sold to Naomi. No going back! This is what the Lord Jesus expects of his followers; a total commitment even in the face of offences and/or challenges. So if the pastor is not living up to your expectation, that should not stop you from following Christ to the end. Ruth had no child, no husband and no likely suitor as Naomi had no other son. This much was said to her by Naomi in Ruth 1:11-13 (KJV) “And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way ; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” However, Ruth was not discouraged; rather she remained committed to her mother in law. Such raw commitment always ends up in miracles. No wonder she did not only end up with a great husband; she also became the grand mother of David!
Also, the raw commitment of Paul made him closer to God. He was the last apostle but wrote more books of the New Testament than any other apostle! Hear him in his letter to the Corinthians: 2 Corinthians 12:15 (KJV), “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
How Committed are you to the things of God? It is noted that there are challenges with such commitments; you may be seen as fanatical. You can imagine what they were saying of Ruth particularly after Orpah left! But she made up her mind to stay!
Also, you need to be hard working and completely obedient. Ruth went to the field to glean barley so that there would be enough food for her and the mother-in-law! She was also very obedient to her mother-in-law even at the expense of her ego! She went to sleep at the feet of a man inviting the man to marry her!
Action Point: Examine yourself on how committed you are to Christ and make a vow to follow him more doggedly than ever before.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero