Ruth continues to challenge the faith community by holding her faith up as a model to be emulated. Ruth’s life, faith, and faithfulness are the standard to which believers should compare themselves. Ruth has become more than a mere figure in Israelite history. She displays characteristics that epitomize a strong, faithful, God-fearing woman. Ruth experienced the very natural moving of the supernatural hand of God that changed her life forever. What are your thoughts about Ruth and how has her story changed your life?

DREAMS AND VISION. It had been the dream of Ruth to belong to a different lineage from her people the Moabites hence she married her first husband. Death took him away but death could not take away her dream. Ruth (the moabite) saw beyond her limitations not just as a moabite but also as a widow. By faith Ruth chose to cleave to a God she didn’t know and inherited the promise of God. Ruth became a holy nation, a royal priesthood called out of darkness into light. All these she did through FAITH! I do not know what your dreams are, but don’t give up yet. It might look like everything is dying all around you, but don’t allow your fear to carry your dreams. Let your faith in God carry your dreams and vision! That is the only way they can come to pass.

Life involves choices that we have to make every day. Some of the choices can have a huge significance on the outcomes for us. In this story we see this borne out in the lives of Ruth and Orpah. For Ruth and Orpah the consequences of their choices are laid out very clearly. Orpah decides to go back to Moab to idolatry and anonymity but Ruth chooses to follow the true God to wonderful blessing and honour. The choice to follow God is never easy. The fact is Orpah took the easy path.  Think for a moment of Ruth’s choice – it was hugely risky. Her choice to follow Naomi meant leaving her own family and home. It meant a new land, new customs and language and ultimately a commitment to never return home even if Naomi dies. “Where you die I will die and there be buried” There were also clear possibilities of rejection, continued widowhood and childlessness. Faith is costly. Here’s a question… Is faith which costs nothing really faith at all?

One of the things I adore most about the story of Ruth is that it is subtle, much like our own. She doesn’t have a great position or come from a famous, godly family. She was a widow from an enemy nation with no prospects. Yet, God moved so mightily in her story and uses it to encourage millions. Ruth showed remarkable faith for such a young believer. Faith that there was still a purpose for her ahead. Faith to believe that God was who He said He was. And faith to believe that God would provide for her and Naomi. If you’re in an unsure place, start with faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” You might not be able to see what God is doing, but trust that He is moving.