Daily devotional · September 4
Staying When Leaving Is Easier
“Again they wept aloud, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; follow her back home.” But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to persuade her.”
Naomi has lost her husband and both sons, and she gives Ruth every reason to go home. Orpah kisses her and leaves, which is understandable. Ruth clings. Her words in Ruth 1:16 are among the most beautiful promises of loyalty ever written, and they are spoken by a foreigner to a bitter, grieving mother-in-law with nothing to offer. Ruth could not know that her decision would place her in the family line of King David and of Jesus. Faithfulness rarely feels historic while we are doing it; it feels like showing up again. Think of someone in your life who is worn down, ill, or lonely. Loyalty does not need grand speeches. Today, send that person a message or visit them, and say something as simple as, I am still here. If the load feels too heavy for you, let others share it.
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“But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
Ruth 1:16
Prayer
God of faithful love, make me someone who stays. Show me who needs my company today.