The Light of Life Daily Devotional

Sunday, 15th May 2022 

TOPIC:  A SEAL OF PERMANENT BETROTHAL 

FOR READING & MEDITATION:  RUTH 1: 16

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live; your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God;

MEDITATE

In our meditation yesterday, we discovered that; “there is nothing you cannot do for a person you really love. Even when other people see it as suffering, you will find joy in doing it. This is the kind of love that God demands from every disciple of His”. 

Today we shall be considering Ruth the Moabites as one of the characters in the Bible that pleased God with her sacrificial living. In Ruth 1:16 we see the strong determination she exhibited in her resolve to follow her mother-in-law Naomi despite the contrary prevailing circumstances. 

This is what it means to love God with all your heart, soul and everything that you are and have; Jesus calls this the Greatest Commandment. I don't know whether you understand the kind of “recklessness” that is involved in this kind of love? Even when Naomi opened up to her that there was no hope, and even advised her to go find a way out of her present predicament among her people, Ruth insisted she would follow her into the uncertain future.  Ruth abandoned her future completely into the hands of God.  

God is like saying in effect that, if you can't give me this kind of love, stop following me. Thankfully, we know how Ruth ended. Because of this sacrificial kind of love, Ruth entered into Jesus' family lineage.  In contrast, you cannot find the name of Orpha in any other place in the Bible.  But, Ruth has a book all to herself in the Bible, and up till today, all Israelites cherish and celebrate her as a heroine. 

When we as God's children obey and love Him this way, we enter into the fullness of what God has for our lives and we will end up being celebrated too. The reason for our failings is that we give God a half-hearted devotion and worship. God wants us to burn the bridges behind us, and serve Him with all of our heart.

VERSE OF THE DAY: “Don't make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go, and to live wherever you live; your people shall be my people" (Ruth 1:16 TLB).

QUOTE: “When we as His children obey God and love Him this way, we enter into the fullness of what God has for our lives”.

PRAYER: Lord, seeing the depth of love Ruth demonstrated towards Naomi, I know I have not started, so give me your grace to deepen my love for you, in Jesus' name, Amen.

AUTHOR: Rev William Okoye