Scripture: Ruth 1:16 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.”
Devotional: As we unpack the virtue of loyalty this week, we are going to be looking to the Bible for examples of loyalty. One of the first that comes to mind is the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth is Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Naomi’s husband and two sons have died, and she is heading back to Bethlehem. Ruth is determined to go with her, even though Naomi has insisted that Ruth return to Moab, as she could then be with her family. However, Ruth refuses.
She then says the familiar verse, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” What a beautiful example of loyalty. Ruth was truly willing to leave everything she knew behind, including her family, her town, and her gods. She does that all out of allegiance to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Even though she has no idea what her future holds, she proves that she is a woman of loyalty.
Reflect:
- When have you experienced someone exhibiting loyalty to their relationship with you? This could be familial, work-related, or a friendship.