Today's Verse: Ruth 1:16

Monday, January 16, 2012

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 Monday, January 16, 2012

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Believer, I know that the religious world has its share of overstatement, hyperbole, exaggeration, and sometimes even fraud. So beware of the..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"The essence of temptation is the invitation to live independently of God."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, dweller of my temple, Please give me the mind of Christ and make my body a temple of the spirit of holiness which is his. Make me holy....."

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.