Thurs., 8/8/13 Devotion (Ruth 1:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Ruth 1:16, where we read these words:

"But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from fol-lowing after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.' "

Ruth's statement to Naomi (above) is an ideal pattern for all sincere Christians. We are to ask God to permanently accept us (in Jesus), to allow us to follow Him all the way to heaven, to go through whatever circumstances He would choose for us (good or bad), to abide with Him, to make His church our own family, and to be bound perpetually to Him (in faith).

And to think that Ruth was an unclean outsider (in the Old Covenant), just like we are, in our sin and rebellion(!) God received her into His grace, just as He will embrace all believing sinners, even today. Let us be thankful that we serve such a great Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruis-ed Reed"]