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Ruth: Selfless Devotion

How unlikely that a woman like me would be used by God for His purpose and glory! Yet, my reprehensible past was not His basis, but my present faith and love for Him. When my husband heard from God that we would have to leave everything behind and become missionaries to the Philippines, the Lord confirmed it to me. I knew then that God wanted us to become fishers of men. We went without hesitation, leaving the comforts of home and family. Today, God’s grace and providence order our steps according to His plan. 

Ruth had no more reason to follow her mother-in-law; her husband was dead and she was free to remarry. But she told Naomi, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God." So, relinquishing pagan worship, she clung to her mother-in-law to go to the land of Judah, where she was an alien and her clan disdained. Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and God epitomizes sacrificial love. 

While both widows were penniless and had no source of provision, God used the famine and relocation to ensure Ruth became part of His great plan. He made a way for Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, to marry Ruth, thus, ensuring their provision and the restoration of Naomi’s lineage. Truly, God blesses in double measure! Amidst great suffering, God eternally rewarded Ruth’s obedience, self-sacrifice, and loyalty by blessing her womb and including her in the genealogy of Jesus. 

Like Jesus, Ruth’s selfless devotion was a demonstration of perfect love – laying down of oneself for another. How outrageous was it that David would learn his great grandmother was a Moabitess, and more so, that Jesus’ family tree would include Ruth among three other Gentile women! But God’s rejection of Moab and other Gentile nations had nothing to do with ethnicity, but with faith! God uses women, widows, the weak and poor as evidence that He can work through anyone who trusts Him to show His grace and providence. 

Child of faith, you are a part of God’s plan for great things! No matter how unimpressive your beginnings, no matter your flaws, cling to God and be willing to go where He wants you to go. Let self-sacrifice and your devotion for Him thrust you to your purpose.