Ruth 1:16, New International Version

“But Ruth replied…”

In this world, it may seem like there are many options and choices before us. When things happen, it feels as though we can view them from many different angles. Differences arise, and sometimes arguments follow. However, the truth is this: there are only two options and two perspectives—God or man. Because of this, there are also two outcomes: life or death.

Let’s gain insight into this truth through the book of Ruth—a life event involving two women: Naomi and Ruth. One was a Jew who knew God, and the other was a Gentile who did not.

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land… and they went to Moab and lived there.” (Ruth 1:1, NIV)

“…After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.” (Ruth 1:4–6, NIV)

“But Naomi said, ‘Return home, my daughters… It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!’” (Ruth 1:11, 13, NIV)

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you…’” (Ruth 1:16, NIV)

In the same situation—facing the same circumstances and experiencing the same hardship that brought broken hearts—one was filled with bitterness (verse 20), while the other responded with kindness, showing love throughout the entire journey.

Bitterness blinded Naomi, leading her to say, “…I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” (verse 20) Yet the truth is that she left during famine and returned during harvest. (verse 22)

If you do not know how the rest of the story unfolds, I encourage you to open the Bible and read it for yourself. And as you do, I hope you will make the same choice Ruth made when she declared, “…Your people will be my people and your God my God… May the Lord deal with me…” (verses 16–17)

Trouble should not stop us, turn us away, or change what we know and who our God is. This is the moment when fire tests gold. Will we be those who stomp our feet in bitterness, or those who respond with love and serve wholeheartedly? Along the journey, may you find favor through endurance, and may this blessing be true to you:

“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12, NIV)