Today’s Devotion
Topic: Your God Will Be My God!
Text: Ruth 1: 16
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Amen
Grandma Naomi has had a bitter experience in the land of Moab. She moved there with her family when famine hit the land of Israel. Upon the death of her husband and two sons, Naomi hears the Lord has visited Israel one more time and prepares to go back home.
With her two daughters-in-law, she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take her back to the land of Judah. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home.” Then she kissed them goodbye. They wept aloud and said to her, “we will go back with you to your people.” (Ruth 1: 7- 10)
However, Naomi gave them several reasons why that was not advisable. Orpah then kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, BUT RUTH CLUNG TO HER! She found her destiny intertwined with that of Naomi and also desired the God of Israel to be her God.
Beloved, the discourse of life has a way of bringing us together — sometimes, as members of the same society, church, group or association. Other times as family members, friends, acquaintances, and even work colleagues. Yet we remain very varied with different aspirations; making it impossible to bond with everyone all the way.
But when you meet someone whose life is dedicated to seeking after God with all diligence, just as you do, then know that you have found a brother/ sister in Christ; a mentor or even a life partner. Don’t let them go easily till you find the Lord together!
Also, if you are sinking deep in sin and have come across anyone who has taken the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour; who strives everyday towards godliness; someone who can teach you the way of Christ and help you know Him better, don’t let them go easily, until you make heaven together.
Orpah found no reason to stay: Naomi was not going to have any more sons for her to marry one. She left to her father’s house and her gods. But Ruth was deep — She didn’t see the need to go back to her father’s gods. She saw beyond the tragedy of Naomi and understood that, none of that undermined the nature of our great God. Her life and future with the God of Naomi was more promising than going back to her Moabite gods. So she said to Naomi, “YOUR GOD WILL BE MY GOD!”
Meditate on this, child of God, and pray. Stop searching for all kinds of ‘things’ and seek the Lord Jesus. He is of much worth than rubies, jobs, husbands or wives. Those who know Him always realise with time that with Him, they have everything they could ever ask for, and even more.
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