The character of Ruth is one that is often studied especially among the ladies. Among her many noble virtues, one that I want to highlight at this juncture is the quality of stedfastness.
Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Rth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Now here was a Moabitess, who was determined to look after her mother-in-law. What was it in for her? Nothing! As mentioned by brother Patrick Swayne, the 2 most important things for women in the society those days was to get married and have children. The Law stipulated care for the widows (c.f. Ex 20:22-24). Yet, any women in that state, was in the society's mind vulnerable and pitiful. But Ruth, found it in her to cleave unto her mother-in-law, even though it meant a life of hardship, having no name and to work under the generosity of others with little possibility of getting married (as opposed to going back to her hometown where at least she would be received by her household). And of course the rest is history - she having a part in the lineage of Christ.
Paul exhorts us to be "stedfast and unmoveable" (1Co 15:58). In what? In our keeping of the gospel, the faith (1Co 15:1-2) and in the work of the Lord (1Co 15:58b).
PERSIST! Don't give up! And just as Ruth was, we shall be rewarded in this life and more importantly, in the life to come with eternal life and glory with God.
The Lord bless our day ahead.
in Him
Paul
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