Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do so to me, and worse, if anything but death separates me from you.”
When people are committed to us and highly supportive, we say they are with us through thick and thin. This level of loyalty is rare because it is easy to cut ties with someone when life becomes challenging. When tragedy struck, it would have been more convenient for Ruth to go her own way, back to her land and people with the potential for a new life and new start. Ruth not only stuck with Naomi through thick and thin, but she also committed to Naomi’s God. Instead of returning to her old patterns of worship or taking the easy way out, Ruth embarked on a journey of trusting God and His provision.
This is the path we have been invited to take also. We won’t know all the details or always find the comfortable path, but we will grow in dependence on God and trust Him in every moment. Trusting God’s provision, we can follow Him wherever He leads, through thick and thin, with assurance that He is with us every step of the journey.
- What are some ways you have been challenged to step out and trust God?
- What are some conveniences and comforts that feel more enticing than following Him at times?
- Confess to God the conveniences and comforts you hold on to. Ask Him to help you take the next step of trust in Him and to invite others to do the same.
