Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Monday, December 12, 2016
Recognized Value
Ruth’s situation must have looked pretty desperate. Not only had her husband died, but the husband of her mother-in-law Naomi and her brother-in-law had died as well. To add to the misery, a famine gripped the land. These circumstances created three widows in an age when only a flimsy safety net existed for widowed women. Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, decided to return to Bethlehem, her native town, urging Ruth and her sister-in-law Orpah to stay in their native land of Moab. Ruth weighed her options carefully and decided to make the best of a bad situation, thanks to her faith and God’s help. Ruth chose to go with Naomi.
By remaining in Moab, Ruth could have dwelled among her people and family, who presumably would take her in. She could embrace once again the familiarity of her youth, her relatives, and even the pagan god of Chemosh the Moabites worshipped. The alternative was to return with her mother-in-law to Judah, which, for Ruth’s own good her mother-in-law begged her not to do. Ruth’s sister-in-law, Orpah, however, chose what was considered at that time the obvious option, showing love for Naomi, but still cherishing her native country more.
Ruth’s choice to stick with Naomi did not seem normal to Naomi or others. Naomi’s fervent appeals to Ruth to reside with her people only strengthened Ruth’s resolve. Whereas most people were looking at the situation from a worldly perspective, Ruth was feeling a spiritual calling from God. She was in love with the I AM God more than she was in love with herself or others. Naomi was not rich or beautiful, neither powerful nor talented, but Ruth recognized the infinite value in Naomi’s virtue, wisdom, peace, and grace. Ruth had concluded these blessings could only come from Naomi’s God and Ruth placed a high value on these attributes.
Based on Naomi’s character, Ruth determined the Jewish nation was full of wisdom and understanding. She recognized these traits as gifts from their God. Ruth desired to be a part of this Godly culture, and had no regrets for abandoning her false and vain gods in Moab. She longed to join Naomi in her faith and to worship Naomi’s God. Her desire was to adore the God of Israel and to trust in Him, obey Him, and serve Him. The state of Ruth’s heart reflects God’s desire for us all.
In our turbulent times today, each of us must choose whom we will follow (Joshua 24:15). False gods of other religions and cults abound, and there are worldly gods such as money, power, fame, comfort, pleasure, and others from which we can choose. Each of us selects whom or what we will serve based on the value we see in pursuing our choice. Ask yourself today what you are pursuing with earnestness? Is it God, or is it something of the world? Will you choose today to reject any false god you may be serving or pursuing and commit your life to the Living God?
Ruth chose a normal life serving the Living God instead of an easier life with her people. She selected this option because she recognized the value in God and the love He sends to us. Later, she was rewarded for her decision with a fine husband and life, as well as being one of only two women in the Bible to have a book about her faith. But even these gifts pale when we see how she was rewarded by becoming part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5), an honor of inestimable value.
None of us can become part of the Earthly lineage of Jesus Christ, but spiritually we can be born again through Him. Our salvation is a gift of infinite value that God offers to each and every one of us. We are heirs to the Kingdom and become part of His family when we accept Him as LORD of our life and become His servants. God gave gifts of eternal value to Ruth, but He is a great God and is not done giving because He loves us all. His gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ has infinite value. A normal person will be like Ruth and recognize the value in God and Jesus Christ. Can you say you’re normal and that you’ve recognized His infinite value?
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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