A Resolute Choice
And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother’s house. Ruth 1:8
Read Ruth 1:6-10
Naomi returned to Bethlehem, the place from which she had originally come. She not only experienced the need for daily food, but also hungered for the living God. Both of her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, intended to go with her, so Naomi outlined to these young women the consequences attached to such a decision. Going to Israel meant breaking off with everything that Moab stood for, as well as submitting themselves to what the God of Israel demanded.
They could hardly expect to remarry in Israel. It is written in Deuteronomy 23:3, “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever.” Naomi dealt honestly with Orpah and Ruth. We too need to deal honestly with those who are considering making public confession of faith. Why do we actually make confession? Do we take the consequences of making confession seriously? Think carefully, before you begin. When we make our vow to the Lord, we must be prepared to do His will, through His strength. Our declaration before the Lord must be resolute; we cannot circumvent that.
Consider Israel’s choice, as we read it in Joshua 24:24, “And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.” Listen also to the warning James gives, “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Thought: Making a resolute commitment to the Lord has life-long and eternal consequences.
Psalter 32:1, 2 (based on Psalm 17) Lord, hear the right, regard my cry, My prayer from lips sincere; Send Thy approval from on high, My righteousness make clear. Thou in the night my heart hast tried, Nor found it turned from Thee aside. With steadfast courage I design No wrong to speak or do; Thy path of life I choose for mine, And walk with purpose true. For help, O God, I cry to Thee, Assured that Thou wilt answer me.
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