She became a widow at a very young age. Perhaps she had wanted to have a sound relationship with people of God whom she had heard about afar off. At the time she got married to the son of an immigrant believer, she must have thought that her desire had been granted only to face the reality of widowhood at such a young age.
What a calamity!
But calamity that beheld her only turned out to expose the kind of uncommon woman she was with extraordinary faith. Though she lost her husband, she used the opportunity to find the true God.
Are you like that? Most people will use the excuse of adversity or temporary bereavement to put a distance between them and the true God.
But the story of Ruth in the book of Ruth chapter 1:16 tells us about the strange faith of the moabitess and her extraordinary love for the God of Israel. Though her closest friend, her mother-in-law begged her to turn back, Ruth refused and decided to follow God.
She demonstrated:
Real Love For God.
Ruth showed that she really loved the true God by her decision to serve the God of her mother-in-law. She was ready to obey him and do whatever he bids her do. This happened at a time those who were supposed to be the elect of God refused his leadership. They rejected his counsel and went their own ways.
Uncompromising Steadfastness And Unshakable Conviction
She never hid her determination not to turn back. That's an epitome of conviction. All en-treatment from her mother-in-law failed to persuade her. Her mind was made up to follow God. Is your mind made up to follow Christ whatever the circumstance? This is a challenge from the life of Ruth.
Truthfulness In Difficult Time
Look at her in and out and you'll find her to be a truthful woman. She was a woman of uncommon virtue. Deceitfulness wasn't in her conduct. She was not to be a secret disciple. She chose to confess her love for God and openly identify with him. She actually relocated to the land where she would have relate with God's people. Is there a better way to demonstrate one's readiness to belong to God?
Hard-To-Find Faith
Why did she decide to use the time of sorrow to declare her faith? Faith works without respect for ones circumstances. God honoured her faith as he would honour your faith today if you choose to believe in him.
Think about the strange faith of this strange woman. Where is your faith as a professed child of God.
Ruth eventually had a place of honour in the lineage of Christ. Do people know you as a follower of Christ? What kind of example are you to others?
'And Ruth said, in-treat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee. for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people , and thy God my God'. Would you follow Christ today?
Idol worship background failed to limit Ruth. She ignore that background and believed in God. Is that not a challenge for idol worshipers today? Forsake idolatry and have faith in Christ.
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