DCLM Daily Manna 28 May 2020 – Unwavering Loyalty

Topic: Unwavering Loyalty
[DCLM Daily Manna 28 May 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Ruth 1:6-22
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Key Verse: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” – (Ruth 1:16,17)

MESSAGE:
Action, they say, speaks louder than words. Spoken words do not often portray the depth of commitment of the speaker until such words are put into action. A disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, after he heard of His impending ordeal in the hands of the unbelieving Jews, vehemently declared, “though I should die with thee yet will I not deny thee”. But when the hour came, he never kept his word.

Famine had driven Elimelech and his family to Moab, a heathen nation, to seek livelihood. Ironically, there he and his two sons died leaving behind Naomi and the daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Out of concern, Naomi appealed to her daughters-in-law to remain in their country. While Orpah yielded, Ruth determined to return with her to Israel.

Adverse situations tend to bring out either the good or the bad in people. Ruth’s decision to give up the possibility of security and remarriage at home to worship and serve the true and living God of Israel was indeed rewarding as she became the great grandmother of king David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. The lesson derivable from this is that, God does not disqualify anyone from accepting and serving Him on account of race, nationality, background or social standing.

The Lord calls us today to steadfastness and total commitment, regardless of our backgrounds. God loves the sincere follower. We should not allow bitterness, grief and disappointment of the present to blindfold us to the tremendous opportunities of His love, care and restoration.

Thought For The Day: Let your faith stand you out!

The Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 17-18