by John O’Malley
“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: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lorddo so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).
Ruth begins the testimony that marks her conversion to Israel’s one true God. On two recorded occasions, her mother-in-law has told her to go home to her culture, gods, and people. Naomi thought Ruth’s desire was emotional, not spiritual. However, unbeknownst to Naomi, the convicting power of God was at work in Ruth’s heart.
Ruth made it completely clear to Naomi, “Do not ask me to leave anymore; I am here to stay. The gods of Moab cannot draw me back; I am here to stay. The culture of my people cannot draw me back; I am here to stay. The friends I once had cannot draw me back; I am here to stay.”
Ruth knew her conversion had to come with conviction. She had a conviction to the way, words, and will of the one true God. Remember, her decision was not made in the comfort of Bethlehem, but rather in the deserts of Moab. She determined in the hard place that she would live for the one true God and Him alone.
Dear reader, you should notice Ruth’s conviction to stand on God’s will, words, and ways and compare them to the believers of today. It seems we have fewer “Ruth” believers today than ever. We have many who trek between Bethlehem-judah and Moab with only a conviction to yield to the will of self. We even have believers who have moved within Moab’s borders. These same believers spend their time convincing anyone who will listen to them that it is fine to be a spiritual drifter.
Today, we need believers who will say, “Do not ask me to leave any more; I am here to stay!”
Think about it...