The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Seven

"Choosing What's Best"

Ruth 1:15-18 15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

Can you picture the scene? Three women, all widowed and starving, were trying to find a home and food. Naomi had told them that she couldn’t provide for the younger women’s needs and urged them to go back home. Both daughters-in-law were clinging to her. Obviously the love and respect between them was great.

It’s hard to let someone go when they mean so much to you. You love their smell, their presence, the sound of their voice... Orpah made the hard choice to go back home to Moab but Ruth wanted to stay with her Mother-in-law Naomi. She didn’t want to let her go. Obviously Naomi meant too much to Ruth.

Orpah had gone back home to what she knew. She went back to her family and her gods. But Ruth decided to go with Naomi and adopt her people and her God. Naomi must have been a woman of great faith in God because Ruth wanted to abandon everything that she knew to go with her to her homeland in Bethlehem and worship her God.

Naomi was important to Ruth. She learned about Naomi's one true God from her. The love and devotion between these two women was great. Nothing was going to stop Ruth from going with Naomi. Finally, Naomi saw something in her eyes that made her stop urging Ruth to go back home like Orpah had done.

Ruth was a determined young woman who was dedicated to Naomi. Though she took on her God and pledged her allegiance to Naomi, she had yet to see what all that would entail. She couldn’t have known what lay ahead in a foreign land. All she knew was that she would faithfully follow one who called God’s Promised Land home.

Ruth looked forward to finding a home in the Promised Land of Naomi’s God. Soon she would find it. God promises us a home with Him. He promises to provide for us here on earth while He prepares a place for us in His eternity. Now we are on the road with the One who accepted us into His family. His name is Jesus.

What Orpah chose wasn't a bad thing, but was it the best thing? The better thing? Was Ruth's choice better? There is another story in the Bible that talks about the choosing the better thing.

Luke 10:38-42 The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!" The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her."

In this portion of Scripture we read about two sisters; Mary and Martha. Jesus and His disciples had stopped there as they traveled. Martha had invited them and was preparing food (this isn't stated but assumed). Mary on the other hand, was sitting at the Lord's feet, listening to Him. Anyway, Martha didn't like that Mary wasn't helping her and told Jesus so. Jesus listened and replied, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary."

I can just see Martha's eyes begin to fill up with frustration and tears as the Savior gently corrects her. What was running through her mind? Did she wonder if Jesus really knew what it took to feed so many? Did He know how perfect she wanted the time to be for Him? Didn't He see her dedication? Why was He rewarding Mary for sitting idle?

Jesus, did see the frustration in Martha's tone of voice and the look on her face. He knew her plans were meant for Him. I'm sure He appreciated her efforts but He knew that Martha's good efforts were distracting her from what was really important ~ sitting at His feet and hearing His words.

It's interesting to note that "preparations that had to be made" is "diakonia" in Greek and it means "service, ministry, assistance involving compassionate love toward others." It's a good thing. It's what Martha had chosen, so why did Jesus tell her that Mary had chosen what was better?

Martha was frustrated over the minutia. She had her mind on many things, not just the preparations. Jesus knew that. He knew it was more than Martha wanting Mary's help with the dishes. Martha's mind wasn't on Jesus. Mary's mind was.

Psalm 27:4-5. The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

The best place for you and I to choose is to sit at the feet on Jesus and learn how to live life from Him. Then, we can go about our work while still focusing on what we learn from Him. As Believers, we have the presence of Jesus in us in the Holy Spirit. We can bow our minds and hearts toward Jesus any time we want. Why then, do we allow the distractions of our "servanthood" affect our relationship with Jesus? What frustrations are distracting you?

The Promised Land of the Israelites was nothing compared to what is waiting for those who chose to believe Him and follow Him on this earth. Just like Ruth, we have to let go of the idea of returning to what we have known before we decided to follow Jesus. We must set our feet on the road to the Promised Land and grab hold of everything He is and represents to us. He must become our God. We must adopt His ways. Jesus has great plans for His family and if you choose to follow Him this means you.

Just as Ruth decided to let go of what she had known before and take up the road with a person she admired and loved deeply, let’s you and I venture down the road with our King ~ Jesus. Like Mary let's sit at His feet and forget about the distractions. Jesus is not only the Great Teacher, He's a carpenter and He's preparing a place for us. Let us focus on that and what He wants to teach us.

John 14:1-3 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."