16/12/2015 - FIRMNESS OF FAITH BRINGS GREAT PROFIT

• 
• 
• 
• 

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” Ruth 1.16

Ruth certainly did not know what waited for her in the future. However, once she was in contact with the Word of God through her husband and her mother-in-law, Naomi, she learned enough to believe in the God of Israel. May all who serve the Most High also have the same wisdom to learn, with their sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, bosses or employees, friends, acquaintances or strangers, to trust completely in the Lord.

When Ruth became a widow, she connected to her mother-in-law like a true daughter. It should be the same with those who get married. She also proved that there was something more. Her faith in the God of the Hebrews was infinitely more important than her culture, religion, and her friends. Right in the moment when a person is enlightened by their faith in the Lord, they act like someone who finds as treasure in the field – once he finds it, he hides the wealth, and then sells everything he has to buy that field (Mat 13.44).

Naomi heard that God would visit Israel and that the drought would end, so she decided to return to her land. However, in that moment, she was a widow, without her two sons and two daughters-in-law. Ruth understood that the little that she knew about the Lord was enough to lead her to the Land of Promise. For this reason, she remained steadfast in what she felt that was the best. This should be the attitude of those who are instructed about the only and true God.

The daughters-in-law were put to test by Naomi. In this test, Orpah said goodbye to what the Most High could do in her life and returned to her people and her gods. After this, it was not heard about her again. However, Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and waited for the new test. She knew she would be irresponsible if she put down in her heart the echo that had been produced by the divine voice, and that it would not be worth it to lose the great reward that waited for her.

The persistent daughter-in-law supported the third test by saying a beautiful declaration that has been copied by millions of people in wedding invitations: Entreat me not to leave you. You will be very happy if you also make your commitment with Jesus, for wherever He is, you will also be now and for all the centuries to come. Ruth chose the best part, which will never be taken away from her.

Everyone who is called to be a member of the Body of Christ should make the same decision. However, many people give up when they learn that to follow Jesus includes renouncing their lives and submitting fully to Him. Expect to be tested, and whenever you are, do not fall into the enemy’s lies, returning to your old life.

Where shall you go to if the Master is the Only One who has the words of eternal life? (Jo 6.68). He corrects everyone whom He receives as a son or daughter, and if you can accept His correction, you will be accepted as His child. Ruth was rewarded in all possible ways, and even more than she imagined, because she became an ancestor of King David and the Lord Jesus.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares