Our scripture this morning is Ruth 1:16-17.
But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Hard times make for hard decisions. Naomi has lost her husband and two sons and has decided to return to Israel. She advises her widowed daughters-in-law to return to their families. One does, but Ruth is attached to Naomi by love and makes the vow “your people will be my people and your God will be my God.” Even in the midst of grief, God is reaching Ruth who did not grow up worshipping Him but has learned something wonderful through a trying time. We too need to see His love and provision for us, especially in difficult situations.
Gracious God, we know that Your love is there for us in good times and bad. Help us to be there for those who suffer, and to know that Your love for us never ends. Amen.
