Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”

Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, did not have an easy life. Due to famine, she and her husband and two sons moved away from Judah. Her life fell apart when first her husband and then her two sons died.

She then decided to move back to her hometown and tried to persuade her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab with their people, because she could no longer take care of them. After much talking, Orpah decided to stay, but Ruth definitely didn’t agree.

With these words, Ruth opened her heart, showing a lovely the picture. This was a radical choice, because Ruth chose to leave her homeland and step into the unknown with her mother-in-law. She said that she would behind the security, culture and everything that was familiar to her and go with Naomi to live as a stranger in a foreign land.

This is faith in action. She went where there were no guarantees. She obeyed her heart not to abandon her mother-in-law to loneliness and fear for survival. She was willing to give up her own dreams for the sake of caring and giving.

Naomi said in so many words that God had forgotten her. She even changed her name to Mara, which means mourning. But God had not forgotten her. God sent someone to Naomi who did not turn her back on her and walked with her into the future, even though she didn’t know what lay ahead. God also sends you someone to dispel loneliness.

Sometimes God also expects us to be that person and leave the familiar to be there for others. Even if the circumstances on the other side do not seem good, we must choose to go with, because God wants to use us. Then we only have our faith to hold on to. But that is enough. God will be with us the whole way.

Prayer
Father, I will go, if You go with me …

Questions
Who might God be asking me to “go with” in this season?
Am I willing to give up my comfort and security to serve someone else?
Do I trust God enough to step into the unknown?

Do this now
Think of one person today who is going through a difficult time and decide to intentionally walk with them.
Send a message or call them and simply say, “I’m with you in this”.
Do something for them today, like listening, doing something practical, or praying with them, even if it costs you time or convenience.