I recently read the story of Ruth. I absolutely love this passage of scripture! I have read it many times but always glean something new from it each time I read it. I greatly admire the qualities that Ruth possessed. To name a few: courage, integrity, loyalty, trust and honor. What an amazing woman! Something caught my attention as I came to the part of the story where Ruth is laying at the feet of Boaz.
Ruth 3:13 - And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
Ruth already had a reputation in the town of being a woman of virtue. Who was this foreign widow who clung to the side of her mother-in-law and returned to a land and people she did not know? Who would do that? Ruth's sister-in-law Orpah, returned to her family when Naomi commanded her to. Why didn't Ruth? Ruth was insistent! You can probably envision Ruth at Naomi's side begging her not to force her to return to Moab. There was no way Ruth was returning to her former life!
A bit of history: Naomi, her husband Elimelech and their two sons were from Judea. Because of drought in the land of Judah they settled in Moab because Moab was not experiencing drought. Their stay in Moab was to be temporary. However, Elimelech and Naomi's son's married Moabite women, Ruth being one of them. Unfortunetely Naomi's husband and sons died. However, Ruth learned something about YAHWEH from her new family. She had an understanding of the living God. Ruth was determined that her future, even without a husband, would not look anything like her past.
Therefore she clung! Part of walking in virtue is walking away from the past, rejecting sin, unidentifying with the past and embracing Jesus and His plan and future. Ruth had no idea what she'd face in Israel, however the Lord greatly rewarded her obedience.
The challenge I received from reading Ruth was simply this - cling! Sometimes it takes everything you've got to hold on, especially in scary seasons or a season of the unknown. It is certainly not always easy to turn away from the familiar to something completely unfamiliar. But great is our reward when we follow Jesus and trust Him completely with our lives. He promises in His word that He'll never leave us nor forsake us and He also promises life more abundantly. And I must add that I love the part where the Lord grants Ruth the desires of her heart!
If we will walk in the way of obedience and trust with our Lord and hold on tight in the midst of the journey, He will will lead us to incredible places.
He will restore! He will provide! He will redeem! This is the God we serve!
Clinging...
Lydia
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