We may have to ‘push through and sacrifice’ to find our Destiny.
18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1
14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’ Acts 21
Both Ruth and Paul were advised by those who cared for them and had their best interests at heart to turn back, BUT NEITHER DID. Even those who love us and care deeply for us may not understand the Lord’s plan for our lives.
The name Ruth is predominantly a girl name of Hebrew origin, meaning “friend,” “friendship,” or “compassionate friend.” It is derived from the Hebrew word re’ut, meaning “friend.” Ruth certainly lived up to her name by her care for her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. We don’t fully understand why she clung so tightly to Naomi, did she love her so much? Or was there nothing for her to go back to in her family home? Or did she feel a call to her Destiny, that lay with Naomi and the Jews, much like Rahab?
16 But Ruth replied, ‘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. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. MAY THE LORD DEAL WITH ME, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.’ Ruth 1
Ruth had a wonderful Destiny in Bethlehem with a new people and a new God. But she had to take a huge step of faith to get to it. It was Naomi who opened the door for her to meet Boaz as a kinsman redeemer (a type of the Lord Jesus who has redeemed us). The Lord may position us alongside someone who will help us to come into our Destiny. Older, experienced mentors (Fathers and Mothers) can be a great blessing from the Lord.
In Matthew’s genealogy (1:1–6), Jesus Christ is the son of Tamar and of Rahab and of Ruth, (Bathsheba is also referred to as Uriah’s wife, the mother of King Solomon). Rahab and Ruth were both foreigners, but in God’s Grace they were grafted into the people of God. Truly with God all things are possible.
Is the Lord calling some of us today to Trust Him for His Plan for our lives and take a step of faith? He blesses those He calls! It would be a shame to live our lives here on earth and only later find out that God had a greater calling for us. He is faithful and well able to keep us as we trust Him.
God bless and keep you today.