“Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die- there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” Ruth 1:16-17
The book of Ruth tells the story of a young woman who has lost her husband and father in law and finds herself wondering what the future holds. Ruth’s mother in law, Naomi, tells Ruth her only option is to go back to her home and hope her family will take care of her. The above passage records Ruth’s words, spoken to her mother in law Naomi. Apparently what made sense to Naomi to do in this difficult situation did not make sense to Ruth. Ruth pledges that she will stay with Naomi, that they will take care of one another, that they will live in the same land, know the same people, and worship the same God.
Naomi was a blessed Hebrew and in taking on Naomi’s faith and God, Ruth finds herself welcomed in with a new people, a new God and even a new life. In the face of these wonderful blessings Ruth says to Boaz, “Why have I, a foreigner, found favor in your sight?”
During the season of Advent we are reminded that in so many ways we are like Ruth- welcomed in by a loving and a gracious God- not because of who we are or what we have done but because of who GOD is. In all you are facing today, know that you are God’s and that he has found favor on you.
Action: Ruth was a foreigner in a new land. Spend some time praying for the refugees in the Twin Cities and think of all the people around the world who are refugees, having left their homes because of hardship. Hold them before God and ask God to be with them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for finding me worthy to be your child. Amen.