“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.” (Ruth 1:14)

The Christian’s Lord needs more than a passing kiss. It is not enough to be a well wisher. It is not enough to kiss and then say goodbye. We must cling and cleave and continue unto the end.

• A bleak prospect, seemingly, was before Ruth.

As Ruth looked ahead into the future, she faced an unknown path. It was not s path strewn with roses, surrounded with flowers, and filled with delightful perfume. It was not a path beneath clear blue skies. He who would go forth to follow his Savior should remember that bleak prospects often lie ahead. We are not speaking of the end of the way. We are speaking of the road that leads home. Our Lord said: “‘In the world you will have tribulation’” (John 16:33).

It is given to disciples not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake. If we would walk with Him, we must walk with One who is despised and rejected of men. We must go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

•. A clinging soul was in Ruth.

Obstacles, shadows, deep valleys, rugged mountain heights, will discourage the half-hearted, but they never turn back the one whise heart is fixed on God. Orpah could kiss her mother-in-law and go back. Ruth could fo no less than to cleave unto her. The fleshpots of Egypt may have meant much to Orpah, but they meant nothing to Ruth. Ruth thought only of Naomi. Her heart was set on a person, not a plan. Little did she care what the future might hold, so long as she had her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law’s God.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray.