Courage

Courage

“See,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Ruth 1:15-16

Woven throughout the Bible are stories of courage—stories of seemingly unimportant people who accomplished great things in God’s strength. God’s plans and purposes are carried out from one generation to another with amazing twists, turns, and surprises, and Ruth was part of one of those plans.

A woman who had grown up in Moab, Ruth married a Jewish man, Mahlon, one of the sons of Elimelech. Elimelech, his wife, Naomi, and their two sons had left Israel to escape a famine, and while they were in Moab, both sons married Moabite women. Sadly, Elimelech and both sons died, leaving Naomi and two daughters-in-law as widows. Naomi decided to return to her hometown of Bethlehem, assuming Ruth and Orpah would prefer to stay in Moab. But because of Ruth’s love for Naomi, she insisted on going along.

An industrious woman, Ruth gleaned grain that had been dropped by harvesters in the field of Boaz, bringing it back to Naomi to bake bread. When Boaz found out who Ruth was, he offered her much more than the leftovers. He was kind to her because of her kindness to Naomi.

In God’s plan, Ruth and Boaz ended up marrying, and a few generations later Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David. Because she had the courage to leave her homeland, accompany her mother-in-law back to Israel, and work to provide for her mother-in-law, God blessed her life. What a beautiful story of love and courage!

Father,

Thank you for the intricate way your plans unfold from one generation to another. Thank you that we can read these stories in your Word and be reminded of your great love and faithfulness. May we have faith to believe that you are weaving your purposes into our lives and courage to obey. Amen.