Verse of the day: Orfa, with a kiss, said goodbye to his mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her (Ruth 1:14).
The two daughters-in-law loved Naomi; That is why they accompanied him on his return to the land of Judah, but the time of trial came. Naomi unselfishly presented each of her daughters-in-law with the trials that awaited them. If they were interested in comfort and quiet, Naomi urged them to return to their Moabite friends. At first, they both said that they were going to cast their spell on the Lord’s people. But, after reflection, Orpah, with much regret and a respectful kiss, left her mother-in-law, the people, and her God, and returned to her idolatrous friends. But Ruth, with all her heart, gave herself to the God of her mother-in-law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when everything is pleasant; another is to cling to those paths in the face of discouragement and difficulties. The kiss of external confession is very cheap and easy, but practical attachment to the Lord, which must manifest itself in a holy decision through truth and holiness, is no small thing. What is your position? Is your heart connected to Jesus? Have you calculated the price? Are you solemnly ready to suffer all the losses in the world for your Lord’s sake? Future earnings will be a generous reward for the world’s treasures that cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed. I’ve never heard of Orfa. In glorious tranquility and idolatrous pleasures, Orf’s life plunges her into the darkness of death. Ruth remains in history and lives in heaven, because God’s grace placed her in the noble lineage from which the king of kings came. Happy among women who can renounce everything for the love of Christ. However, forgotten and worse than forgotten will be those who, at the moment of temptation, wound scruples and return to the world. Oh, that this morning we are not settling for the form of devotion that can be like Orpha’s kiss, but the Holy Spirit makes our hearts cling to our Lord Jesus.