Faithfulness and Loyalty

By: Lisa Boisvert

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

The story of Ruth's life is a portrait of faithfulness and loyalty. We can all claim to have them, and when everything is going well they are easy to model. But in challenging times, those two attributes can be costly!

Naomi was an Israelite, and Orpah and Ruth were her widowed Moabite daughters-in-law. In those days, women were completely dependent upon their husband or a close male relative for support. Naomi knew she couldn't offer any help to Ruth and Orpah, so she decided to go back to Israel. Out of love, Naomi released her daughters-in-law from any obligation to go with her, hoping they would find new lives in their own nation. But Ruth was compelled by loyalty and faithfulness, so in our opening verse, she insisted on moving to Israel and joining Naomi.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

The trip would be hard and dangerous… especially for two single women unaccompanied by male protection. Naomi wasn't promising Ruth land, wealth, or a husband, so the prospects for her future were dim! But Ruth refused to allow Naomi to walk through her hopelessness alone. Why? Because of her faithfulness and loyalty. The Lord honored Ruth’s devotion and loyalty, by arranging for her to meet Boaz. He was their family's "kinsman redeemer" which allowed him to eventually marry her. Because of Ruth's loyalty and faithfulness, a destitute foreigner became the wife of a righteous man of influence. More importantly, the Lord honored Ruth's character by placing her in the direct lineage of Jesus.

Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:23

Many people in our world want to be remembered for their accomplishments, or their beauty, fame, and fortune. Fellow Christ follower, how do you want to be remembered? I hope we all say something like this: "Like Ruth was, for being a faithful and loyal servant of The Lord."