Hello everyone,
My name is Michael Stokes. I’m part of the South Manchester leadership team and one of the worship leaders here at !Audacious Church. It’s a joy to be here with you today to share in our on-going series about our favourite Bible characters.
If you’ve missed any of the previous devotions, you can catch up on all of them on our church’s social media pages. We’ve had some incredible reflections so far, and I’m excited to add to the conversation today.
For this particular devotion, I want to talk about a favourite Bible character of mine: Ruth. Ruth’s story is one of profound loyalty, kindness, and faith, and it resonates deeply with myself and my fiancée. Ruth’s spirit is captured beautifully here:
Ruth 1:16 (NLT): ‘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.”’
Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi, despite facing an uncertain future, is incredibly inspiring. Her decision to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of her husband is a powerful example of loyalty. In my own life, I strive to show that same level of devotion to my loved ones. Ruth’s kindness and generosity in her actions, and her faith in God’s plan, despite the challenges, remind me of the importance of trusting God, especially as I look forward to my marriage and the life my fiancée and I will build together.
Ruth’s story reminds us that acts of kindness and trusting God’s plan can come full circle. Her loyalty to Naomi led her to Boaz, a wealthy landowner who eventually became Ruth’s husband. Ruth’s story didn’t end there, though, as her lineage led to King David and, eventually, Jesus. A great reminder that even when our life seems off track, God’s plans for us are greater than what we can ever imagine.
I want to challenge each of you to reflect on how you can embody Ruth’s qualities of loyalty, kindness, and faith in your own lives. Think about ways you can support those around you, show kindness in your daily interactions, and trust in God’s plans even when the path isn’t clear.
Thank you all for joining me for this devotion. Have a blessed day, and don’t forget to tune into our socials for more amazing devotional content on our favourite Bible characters.
God bless!
Michael Stokes.
