Scripture Text: And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. (Ruth 1:16 KJV)
There was a food shortage in the land of Canaan. During that time Elimelech and his wife Naomi had two sons Mahlon and Chilion. They were from a place called Bethlehemjudah. Elimelech took his family to Moab. Moab was a pagan nation, and was long-lasting enemy of Israel. Elimelech died in the foreign land, and he never returned to the land of his heritage. Naomi and her sons continued in the Moab. Her sons married two women of the Moabites. Shortly, Naomi son’s died in the land of Moab. Naomi had heard that the famine ended in the Judah. Ruth and Orpah had a powerful love for their mother-in-law Naomi. During that time the law was that they were no longer bound to Naomi since their husbands had died. Naomi tried her best to convince her daughter-in-laws to return to their families. Down deep she knew that they would be in the best of care with their own families. Since they were young widows they both could be entitled to be married some day. With overwhelming sadness Orpah returned home. Ruth had no reason to leave her mother-in-law Naomi.
The definition for steadfast means- a: firmly fixed in place: immovable b: not subject to change. (Merriam-Webster)
Ruth wasn’t discouraged and she continued on with her mother-in-law. Naomi decided to return to Judah. This was a very long journey for them to travel alone. Ruth was very loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi.
We all have seen or maybe we know families that have no love, no compassion and no concern for their own grandparents, their own parents and their own siblings. We should stick together no matter what happens. Why are we here on this earth if not to show the love of Jesus to our own flesh and blood? We should stick together through the good times and the bad times. Don’t let things fester too long. When it’s done it’s much harder to make it right later. It’s really so easy to be good to our families, it takes more effort to be mean to them. We’d have to think on it now don’t we? Those people who are unselfish are people that are happy. They put others before themselves always. It’s doesn’t cost one dime to be nice now doesn’t it? When we repeatedly do it everyday it’s becomes so natural. We have to have the perseverance to keep at it. The results will be worth it all in the end. God wants us to be more loyal to our families and friends and stick together. Stay Encouraged!
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