Ruth 1:15 “Look,’ said Naomi, ‘your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
Poor Ruth. She was trying her best to do what she thought was right. She was clinging to Naomi, clinging to her decision to stay with her mother-in-law. And yet, Naomi was trying to persuade her to turn around.
That happens to us, as Christians, every single day. We wake up, determined to make the most of our new day. We decide that this day, we will serve our Lord. We will make wise choices. We will walk with God, and follow where He leads.
But it seems that at every turn, there is some well-meaning person, some circumstance, some obstacle trying to get us to go the other way. We want to do the right thing, but the right thing can be difficult, almost impossible. Each day, our faith is challenged. We will either stand firm in our decisions to follow God, or we will give in to the pressure, and turn around.
God has given us many promises. But He never promised that walking in faith would be easy. As a matter of fact, in John 16:33, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Standing strong in our faith is difficult, in a world that does not respect faith. We’ll be laughed at. We’ll be looked down upon. We’ll have all sorts of problems because of our belief in God. There is no doubt that in some ways, a life lived without faith would be easier.
But do not be fooled! When we trade in our faith for an easier lifestyle, we trade one set of problems for an even bigger set. We also forfeit the wonderful, bountiful rewards that come to those who stand strong, who keep following God though everyone tells them not to. Let’s remember to stay focused, to keep our eyes on the prize. And whatever we do, we must never, never turn back.
Dear Father, Please help me to keep following You no matter what.
Amen
Oh, dear one, thank you for this reminder today. It was just what I needed.
It seems a day does not go by that I am not under some kind of attack because I am now on the front lines, all over the world, so to speak for Jesus Christ.
So, if it’s not physical, it’s mental or emotional or financial.
Sometimes I grow weary, though never of serving Christ.
But I do grow weary of the fight.
Yet, as you so beautifully say, what other path would compare?
None.
This life of serving Christ is the ultimate and I thank Him for walking beside me, protecting me, and using me in ways I never thought possible. This is the legacy of every believer.
I love you,
Jlo