Today's Verse: Ruth 1:16

Sunday, January 16, 2000

Ruth replied [to her mother-in-law, Naomi]: "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

This beautiful statement of loyalty makes its way into thousands of weddings each year. Incredibly, this wasn't originally a pledge of a bride or groom. Instead, it was the pledge of Ruth to her mother-in-law - some would call her an ex-mother-in-law since Ruth's husband, Naomi's son, had died. Ruth, however, never treated Naomi as an "ex" of any kind. God loves loyalty and bestows his blessing and favor when we are faithful to others. In an era where people are thrown away as readily as paper plates, paper napkins, and soft drink cans, let's remember that loyalty is a quality that God not only loves but also a character trait that he defines for us in Jesus. So, let's see our loyalty to our friends, family, and other followers of Jesus as a crucial and God-honoring commitment. God used Ruth's loyalty to change history and bring us Jesus!

My Prayer...

Almighty and faithful God, thank you for your loyalty to your covenant promises to Israel. Thank you for not giving up on your people or abandoning your promises despite the fickleness and unfaithfulness of your children. Bless us today as we seek to be loyal and honorable people, your true children in a turbulent and treacherous world. May the light of faithfulness seen in us beckon others to find stability and hope in your grace and among your people. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Ruth 1:16 — Ruth replied [to her mother-in-law, Naomi]: "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 16, 2000

Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, reconciler of humanity, Thank you for sending Jesus to break down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and non-Jew. By the way he...."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Follower of The Way, Paul's path to Rome was difficult. First, he faced a series of legal hearings before he even left for Rome. Then, he faced...."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"Some of you were locked in a dark cell, cruelly confined behind bars... not a soul in sight to help. Then you called out to GOD in your desperate..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.