From Bethlehem to Moab, and Back Again: 5 Day Bible PlanShembull

Day 4 

Ruth 1:18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

‘Can I come?’ 

So often, I notice, children ask this question. ‘Can I come?’ I also notice that they often ask it even before they know where I am going. They just want to be with me, the where doesn’t matter. 

Even if I reply, ‘I’m only going to the shop for milk, it won’t be interesting for you ….’ ‘I’ll come too’, as they put their shoes on.

Ruth, in effect, says ‘can I come?’ and Naomi responds, ‘I’m miserable, I’m mourning, it won’t be interesting for you’. In a sense, ‘you’d be better off not being with me.’

And Ruth metaphorically put her shoes on. She was staying with Naomi.

Joshua 1:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Never means never. God will never leave us, however hard we try to push Him away, however much we may think he won’t want to be with us.

Reflect: Do you push God away, rather than welcoming Him to stay with you; whatever you and your life look like?

Prayer: Father God, thank you that you stay; nothing will scare you away. Amen