Love, Loyalty and Devotion

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following

after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever 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. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything

but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16&17, NKJV)

The book of Ruth is a wonderful story of love, loyalty and devotion. Ruth, the

daughter-in-law of Naomi, commits to leaving her family, friends and homeland to

follow her mother-in-law wherever Naomi would go. Naomi tries with everything

in her power to convince Ruth to stay in her home country with her family. Yet,

Ruth’s love for Naomi was so strong she vowed to never leave her side.

Love, loyalty and devotion. These three qualities are what is missing in many

relationships today. Ruth’s decision to follow her mother-in-law required a

sacrifice on her part. Many relationships fail today because too many of us are not

willing to make the sacrifice to foster love. Too many people are only “fair

whether friends.” When things get tough, the selfish get going.

True friendships and strong relationships are built upon these three attributes. The

question is, can those who know you say that you are a person who exemplifies,

LOVE, LOYALTY AND DEVOTION?