“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” – Ruth 1:16

Scripture reading: Ruth 1:15-18

The covenant Yahweh has awakened in Ruth a living faith. And she’s not afraid to express it. Her mother-in-law urges her to go back to her mother’s house in godless Moab. She responds in faith, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you.”

Ruth understands something that her mother-in-law doesn’t seem to understand. It’s this: it’s better to have emptiness with the God of Israel than to have earthly fullness with the gods of Moab. To put it in New Testament terms: it’s better to suffer for Christ then to live the high life without Him.

And so, Ruth expresses her faith in clear, poetic language. “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” It’s no wonder there are beautiful hymns written based on this confession.

Despite the bitterness of her mother-in-law, despite her now dead father-in-law’s sinful decision to move his family to Moab, God has let Ruth see glimpses of His grace through them. God at times, uses twisted and broken individuals and families to show His grace to others.

So much so, that the newfound faith of Ruth expresses a certainty and conviction that can only be God given. She understands that she needs to turn to God. She is determined to have the covenant people of God be her people. Moreover, she’s determined to have the God of Israel as her God.

Suggestions for prayer

Petition God to bless you with a faith that has the depth of conviction and commitment that He clearly gave to Ruth. Pray that for your loved ones too.

Since 2019, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen has served the Attercliffe Canadian Reformed Church near Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He, his wife, children and grandchildren are deeply grateful for the blessing of daily living under the shelter of God’s wings. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.