16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Naomi had to deal with some bitter losses in her life (husband,sons); yet Ruth was not only devoted to Naomi, but she must have seen something in the way she conducted her life to make the statement, "your God will be my God".
Do people around me find God attractive by the way I live my life, and by the faith and hope I express in God to also say, "your God is my God".
What image are you portraying of God? Does your life reflect a sincere obedience to His word and will for you life? These are tough questions that produce very humble answers from me. How about you?
It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!
How many times have you said, Lord why have you allowed this, what have I done wrong ?
The Lord is not against anyone. Sometimes we run ahead of God's perfect will for our life, and God allows our mishaps to happen. During these seasons HE also allows us to grow spiritually. Remember, if God allowed it to happen there is a reason. Don't try to figure the reason out, but ask God to show you what he needs you to see, and actually listen. Sometimes we ask questions, when we aren't willing to wait for the answer. We don't pay that attention, we rush ahead, and the troubles will pile high !!
Its like saying you want to know what the weather is like to someone, but just hurrying out the door anyway and then getting poured on. Wait until that other person answers, so that you can have the full protection you need. God has the armour for us to put on, but sometimes we are so busy rushing we go without it and allow satan to hit us again and again like that pouring rain.
Have you ever noticed if you sit back and just watch the clouds go by, or the birds, how peaceful it seems. Then all of a sudden you hear a siren or a loud car and you are back in the mess of this world with thoughts racing everywhere ? Take time to spend with God in the quiet, away from the world. Turn the tv off, shut the phone off, and just listen... Sometimes God does not shout, sometimes it's just whispers...will you hear ???
Verses 16-17, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
What an incredible statement of devotion. A connection deeper than what most people experience in their life has occurred between Naomi and Ruth. It doesn’t say why or how this has happened, only this quote from Ruth proves it.
I wonder if this is about the character of Naomi or Ruth or maybe both. Whoever it is, this statement is powerful. Most marriages don’t have this deep spiritual connection, let alone friendships. It makes me think about my relationships and how I add value into other people’s lives. I’m not looking for people to say this about me as an endeavor of life. I doubt that Naomi did either. It happened out of a natural living out of her character. Ruth was drawn to her and was willing to do whatever it took to stay at her side and remain in her circle of influence. Do I have the character that draws people in like that?
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
ReplyDeleteNaomi had to deal with some bitter losses in her life (husband,sons); yet Ruth was not only devoted to Naomi, but she must have seen something in the way she conducted her life to make the statement, "your God will be my God".
Do people around me find God attractive by the way I live my life, and by the faith and hope I express in God to also say, "your God is my God".
What image are you portraying of God? Does your life reflect a sincere obedience to His word and will for you life? These are tough questions that produce very humble answers from me. How about you?
It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!
ReplyDeleteHow many times have you said, Lord why have you allowed this, what have I done wrong ?
The Lord is not against anyone. Sometimes we run ahead of God's perfect will for our life, and God allows our mishaps to happen. During these seasons HE also allows us to grow spiritually. Remember, if God allowed it to happen there is a reason. Don't try to figure the reason out, but ask God to show you what he needs you to see, and actually listen. Sometimes we ask questions, when we aren't willing to wait for the answer. We don't pay that attention, we rush ahead, and the troubles will pile high !!
Its like saying you want to know what the weather is like to someone, but just hurrying out the door anyway and then getting poured on. Wait until that other person answers, so that you can have the full protection you need. God has the armour for us to put on, but sometimes we are so busy rushing we go without it and allow satan to hit us again and again like that pouring rain.
Have you ever noticed if you sit back and just watch the clouds go by, or the birds, how peaceful it seems. Then all of a sudden you hear a siren or a loud car and you are back in the mess of this world with thoughts racing everywhere ? Take time to spend with God in the quiet, away from the world. Turn the tv off, shut the phone off, and just listen... Sometimes God does not shout, sometimes it's just whispers...will you hear ???
Verses 16-17, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible statement of devotion. A connection deeper than what most people experience in their life has occurred between Naomi and Ruth. It doesn’t say why or how this has happened, only this quote from Ruth proves it.
I wonder if this is about the character of Naomi or Ruth or maybe both. Whoever it is, this statement is powerful. Most marriages don’t have this deep spiritual connection, let alone friendships. It makes me think about my relationships and how I add value into other people’s lives. I’m not looking for people to say this about me as an endeavor of life. I doubt that Naomi did either. It happened out of a natural living out of her character. Ruth was drawn to her and was willing to do whatever it took to stay at her side and remain in her circle of influence. Do I have the character that draws people in like that?