Monday 04 February 2008

Background

The story of Ruth includes famine, exile, welcome of foreigners,love, death and devotion. Ruth has met and married a man fromanother land. Her happiness is destroyed when her husband dies andshe finds herself living with her mother-in-law (Naomi) andsister-in-law (Orpah), who are also widows.

Naomi decides to return to her own people and encourages herdaughters-in-law to return to their families. Eventually, Orpahagrees but Ruth is determined to stay with Naomi and utters anunforgettable statement of devotion in verses 16 and 17.

There are some Christians who sail along through life without anytroubles or major challenges to their faith. There are others whoseem to be constantly assailed by problems - even tragedy - thattest and challenge their faith. And, just occasionally, we areprivileged to meet someone like Ruth who maintains their devotionin spite of all the problems they have. Such people are aninspiration and personify the kind of qualities that Jesus speaksof in the Beatitudes (Matthew5:1-12).

Meeting someone like Ruth can be inspirational and lead to a hungerto know the same God and have the same faith that theyexemplify.

To Ponder

Can you name Christians who have triumphed overadversity and, in so doing, encouraged you in your faith? Givethanks to God for them.

What example of faithful discipleship do youoffer to others?