A Love Most Precious: A 10-Day Reading Plan Based on the Book of RuthSample

These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. RUTH 1:4–5 ESV

What do you want most in life? Have you ever made a formal list?

People may put love, purpose, peace, and joy on that list, to name a few. But sometimes our personal priorities may not line up with God’s principles. It appears that is the case with the three men in Naomi’s life—her husband and her two sons. They knew they should stay in their homeland and trust God during the famine, rather than flee to Moab. And the two sons knew they were never to marry pagan women. But they chose a lifestyle of ongoing disobedience, and faced the consequences of their decision.

Since the fall of humanity, people have been notorious for craving approval no matter what they’re up to. We never like to believe that anyone could be chastised by God, but the Almighty did bring suffering onto His people when they persisted in their rebellion against Him. Today, some people ignore or rebel against God, which never brings true fulfillment.

The disciplinary measures in Ruth may seem incredibly harsh—deeply unsettling, in fact. But if we pull back and ponder the bigger picture of real love, we discover that without justice or consequences, there can be no real love at all. No peace. No happiness.

God longs for us to flee from what is evil. Proverbs says, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy” (28:13 AMP).

There are divine rewards for turning away from sin. Such beauty in confession. May we all adopt a repentant heart and experience the sublime peace and joy and freedom that come through God’s forgiveness.

Lord, I am so sorry I have grieved Your Holy Spirit today with my recent thoughts and actions. I humbly confess them to You now. Thank You for Your mercy and compassion in forgiving me. Amen.