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 following 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 regenerate Chris-tians. Because of sovereign grace given to us, we 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 perpetu-ally to Him (in faith).
And to think that Ruth was initially an unclean outsider (under the Old Cove-nant), just like we were, in our sin and rebellion(!) God received her into His grace, just as He has done for us, in Jesus, today. Let us be thankful that we serve such a wonderful God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
