WHAT WONDERFUL FRIENDS WE HAVE WITH JESUS
Ruth 1:16-18 But Ruth replied, “Don’t make me 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. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth and her husband had left their home and country to escape a famine. They went to Moab to live there until they could go back, but probably because their two sons found wives there and things must have been good they stayed there for ten years. Then everything fell apart for Naomi, because her husband and both sons passed away. Now she was by herself in a country that was a known enemy of Israel, and she had no way of supporting herself. She did have two Moabite daughter-in-laws, but she knew that they would probably not be received well in Israel. So Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem leaving her two daughter-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry. To Naomi’s surprise both ladies wanted to go back with her to Israel. I am sure that she was surprised, because they knew how much Israel hated Moab. There would be very little chance of them being accepted let alone finding a Hebrew that would marry them. So Naomi tried her best to have them stay. One of her daughter-in-laws named Orpah finally consented to stay, but her other daughter-in-law Ruth refused. And with this she made the remarkable statement of love and loyalty in verses 16 and 17.
Such love and loyalty is seldom seen outside the immediate family, and often not even there. As we see later in chapter 2, Ruth is far from being without potential. She was very pretty, kind, loyal, obedient, trustworthy,faithful and I am sure would have been a great catch for any young man. Her qualities and her loyalty to Naomi would become a key for the way God would bless her and others through her. Through Ruth’s descendants would come one of the most famous kings of Israel in David, and even more so would come God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
I had someone once tell me that if I was blessed with one good friend in my life, I would be very lucky. Well, as I have now reached almost 69 years old I can say that I heartily agree. I have two men that have been closer than brothers to me. One is Max Goodwin that we came to know each other in 4th grade. We played baseball, basketball, handball, ping pong, had double dates with and so much more. He encouraged me to go to Jr. College, and then on to get my teaching degree at a State College. He no doubt saved my life at least twice. If I hadn’t went to college I am sure I would have went to Vietnam where many my age lost their lives, and in 2000 I was having some discomfort in my chest and he made me promise to go get it checked out. Because of that I had a five bypass open heart surgery and later two stents. Through the many years he and his wife Judy have been in constant contact with us to share joys and concerns of our lives. To this day I praise the Lord for them both. I am truthful in saying I could have never asked for a more faithful and good friend.
My other outstanding friend is Ralph Ward. I met him in 1972 when I started teaching high school in Hillsboro, Illinois. I helped Ralph coach high school football and helped scout other teams. Ralph has been and I know always will be a faithful friend. When I was trying to become ordained in the United Methodist Church he was there to constantly encourage me and help me with my ministry. He has always been a great source of encouragement and inspiration.
To this day we still call often to check in and share prayer requests. Ralph like Max are special gifts that God has brought my way that I will always praise him for. Having good friends often begins with being a good friend. If you want a good friend, then I recommend to go and be a good friend to someone. I am proud to say that I just don’t have two friends that are blessings to me, but I have many both male and female, young and old and they are Christians. I think that one of the greatest benefits and blessings of being a pastor for Jesus was getting to know and love his children. Through Jesus I have not only wonderful friends, but I have brothers and sister in Jesus. It is hard for the world to believe, but a brother and sister in Christ can be closer and even more special than with our own relatives. There is a saying that blood is thicker than water, but even more so does the blood of Jesus have on two believers or sisters.
The Family of God is forever! Take special care of each other. Watch over each other in love and faithfulness with a ever heartfelt thankfulness for them. Encourage them onward and upward in Christ, because the world will certainly not. Our time here on earth with them is only the beginning. We will have all eternity to enjoy each other as we stand in awe and love for Jesus throughout eternity.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for our many blessings you bring our way. Thank you for all our many brothers and sisters in Christ you have given us and those yet to come. Please bless them richly! It’s in Jesus name we ask this.
