Use Your Faith, Cling To Love

February 5, 2021

Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

~Ruth 1:14~

When Ruth and Orpah had lost their husbands, there was nothing left for them in Moab. Naomi insisted the women returned home since she felt she had nothing more for them. Naomi had just lost her husband and now her two sons; she was grief stricken and overwhelmed. After she had told the women more then once to go and not follow her, Orpah decides to kiss her goodbye and go her way. Ruth, however, did not budge. The scripture says Ruth clung to Naomi. What a love this is. Ruth truely desired to comfort her mother in law even in times of her own loss she just experienced. Ruth put Naomi before her own feelings; "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

(Philippians 2:4)

Ruth never second guessed herself or even attempted to leave. She knew Naomi needed her and she stayed. What an example for us to truely live by. From there on Ruth followed Naomi to Bethlehem, Ruth had no idea what was about to happen to her. She was headed into extremely uncertain times, but she did not waver. She just believed by faith and love for Naomi, she went without asking questions.

Just as Abraham believed by faith to go where God was telling him to go, not knowing where that may be. Just as Moses believed by faith to travel in the wilderness teaching and growing weary, not knowing when he would make it out. Just as Noah believed by faith to build an ark for the Lord to save his family from a flood that he had no idea when was coming. Just as Joshua believed by faith that the giants living in the promised land would have no match for God, not knowing exactly how or when. Ruth was taking the same initiative in believing by faith that wherever she was going would be where she needed to be. She didn't have any clear instruction like Moses, Noah or Joshua had from God. She just moved in her heart and knew this was important to do for her dear mother in law; she knew that whatever happened would happen while they were together. When one of us falls, the other is there to catch them. This is how we are to love God fully, by loving eachother as ourselves, just as Jesus instructed of us;

"And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

Like I said, even without instruction, Ruth did just this. Her blessings came in the form of a son she concieved to become the blood line to our Messiah, Jesus Christ! What did she do after she birthed Obed? She did another selfless gesture and gave the child over to Naomi immediately; "Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord , who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”

(Ruth 4:14‭-‬15)

Naomi was blessed with a new son in the blood line, that which led to David. A seed of our Lord Himself! "Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David." (Ruth 4;17)

Can you imagine what would of happened if Ruth chose to walk away just like Orpah did? This was a blessing that they didn't realize was so major even at the time it happened.

We can look back on Ruth's obedience, love, selflessness and strong faith and see just how much our choices can effect something as big as a full generation. Ruth clung to Naomi immediately out of unfailing love, just as Mary Magdalene clung to Jesus when He rose again out of unfailing love.

"Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!”

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God. ”

(John 20:16-17)

The two women knew there was nothing else for them to focus on. We should be clinging to those we truely love in this world and putting their interests before our own. We should also be clinging most of all to our Lord Jesus Christ, believing in anything He tells us to do, knowing that even if we can't see the outcome or understand how it will take place; we can have comfort as we look back on Ruth's response. For we know God is still able to not only bring blessings upon us as we are trusting and faithful, He will bring blessings on a whole generation of people just by one single persons actions.

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments." (I John 5:2 )

Ruth's unwavering love brought us to David's unwavering faith as He penned Psalms to the Father with pure love in his heart.

True love can be a sacrifice. It can be uncertain. It can be long awaited. In the end, as we put our faith in it and follow the steps of Ruth, rather then the steps of Orpah, we will be blessed and so can many others.

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

Thank you Ruth for not turning away.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me through Your living word about the faithful seed that has brought blessings to many generations. Ruth's everlasting love has pierced the heart of many and I vow to be that same kind of example. When I start to forget, show me to love others as myself. When I start to become discouraged, show me to believe by faith in what You will bring. I want to cling to You, Lord in the same manner as Ruth clung to Naomi. I want our relationship to be this closer and closer. Show me how I can be a blessing today. Let Your light shine into this day through me. May the praise and honor be given to You alone in all circumstances. You are faithful to me and I shall be faithful to You. Lord, show me what I need to do to become a blessing to generations after me. Thank you for using me anyway You see fit. I am Yours, where You go I will go. In Your Name I lift this prayer, Jesus Christ. Amen.