Wherever You Go, I will Go…

It’s not typical of this blog but I am knee-deep in my book edits  (you can read about that here ) and I thought I could share from my devotions last week.

I hope the Word of God encourages you as it did me.

Some background

I started reading the book of Ruth on Thursday  – Chapter 1 Verse 1 to 18.

If you are unfamiliar with the book of Ruth, it’s a story of three women, (Ruth and Orpah, and Naomi, their mother in law.

Upon the death of their husbands in a foreign land, Naomi decides to return to her land, Judah, together with her widowed daughters-in-law.

But along the way she seems to have a change of heart and entreats the two young women to go back to their people.

Orpah agrees to go back but Ruth clings to her mother-in-law and together they journey on to Judah where the rest of the story unfolds. (Ruth chapter 1 – 4)

Overall the book is about the kind of faithfulness and devotion God desires from us and how He makes all things work out for good.

Some of my key verse from Chapter 1

Verse 16: “But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God…”

Verse 18: When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

Thoughts from these verses;

Both Ruth and Orpah were on the road going to Judah with their mother in law. They had started the journey.

When Naomi entreats them to turn back, they weep and cry.

Orpah does finally agree to go back but clearly not without sadness, heartache and tears. It was not an easy decision.

But Ruth. She clings on. And Naomi powers on, trying to change her mind

“Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” V 15

Ruth refuses to go back. Finally they journey on to Judah.

Practical Application in my life.

1. Working with God and obeying God is a matter of choice (obedience).

And I get to decide if I will obey, not just at the beginning of the journey, but along the way when other options and alternatives are presented to me.

Questions – What areas are you struggling to make a commitment right now? Have you started the journey of obedience? Are you waiting for the decisions to become easier, less costly before you take that first step?

2. Orpah started the journey but turned back midway.

Starting the journey is not always the biggest thing.

Finishing is.

#selah

3. Just like Orpah, Ruth had the same exact opportunities to turn back. She heard the same pleas from her mother in law.

The popular thing is not always the right thing. I have to learn to stay true to God’s conviction, His revelation to me.

Questions: Are you staying true to God’s revelation to you or are you wavering because of what your friends/family/colleagues are doing? Have you taken a stand?

4. Ruth’s determination finally silenced Ruth.

V18. “When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.”

I won’t have to wrestle with the same decisions and voices all my life. At some point, I will prevail! If I faint not.

My prayer.

Please feel free to personalize the prayer, as you work through the questions and everything the Lord lays in your heart.

Lord, make me like Ruth, so persuaded of the things you have laid in my heart, help me follow you wherever you may lead. May this be my prayer and conviction, that “wherever you go, I will go. wherever you live, I will live” In Jesus name, Amen.

What has the Lord been speaking to you about? Any verse of Scripture or devotion you’d like to share? Encourage us by sharing in the Comments. (or if you are an email subscriber, reply to this email and let me know, would love to hear from you)