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

And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. RUTH 1:15–18 ESV

"Where you go, I will go.” Words from a famous and exquisitely beautiful speech. Enough to inspire magnificent art, music, and writings. Enough to remind us that friendships can be as satisfying, godly, and lifechanging as Naomi and Ruth’s. Have you ever had such a relationship? The kind of heart-close friendship that lasts a lifetime? The kind in which you can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking? The 3:00 a.m. friend you can call on for anything?

We can always ask God for these kinds of connections—these special lifelong friendships. What a blessing! But Christ wants us to feel a heart-closeness with Him too—only deeper and more profound. Christ is not only our Savior; He wants to be our Best Friend. The New Testament book of John reminds us of Jesus’ words: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you” (15:15 NIV).

Just as Ruth and Naomi’s deep friendship surely brought them comfort, and later became a source of celebration, imagine the immeasurable and fervent love we experience from our Creator God—a love that transcends all understanding! What comfort. What riotous joy!

Oh, my dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Best Friend! For cherishing me. For comforting me when I am frightened and feeling lonely. May I always want to go wherever You go. You are my everything. Amen.