Ruth’s Loyalty – Jennifer Woodley
‘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.”’ Ruth 1:16.
Ruth’s loyalty to her widowed mother-in-law was outstanding. As a young woman, whose husband had died, she had all the reason to return to her people in Moab and remarry. Yet she did not.
Ruth would have known that there was nothing worse than being a widow. Widows were taken advantage of and were likely to become poor and neglected. Even with running the risk of facing poverty, Ruth chose to stay and support Naomi. Her selfless attitude, her love, and concern for her mother-in-law, meant that Ruth would give up her own ambitions and marital possibilities.
Like Ruth, we are called to consider the needs of others rather than ourselves. Selfless sacrifice will come with a cost, but God is able to provide for our needs regardless. Just as He did for Ruth. And when we act selflessly, remaining loyal to the work and people that God calls us to, others around us are inspired to behave in the same way.
What work is God asking of us that will require self-sacrifice and loyalty? Though it may be difficult, we can trust that God will bring us through and meet all our needs. Let God grow us as we trust in Him during this time.
‘Father, help me to give of myself where you have asked me to and trust that you will meet all my needs according to your provision. Amen.’
Jennifer is a freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on the Christian journey through writing and mentoring. Contact | 
