April 30

Read: Ruth 1:6-17

Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried (Ruth 1:16-17).

The Spirit Of Consecration

God is a Person and the best figures of our relationships to Him are illustrations from personal life. Ruth’s pledge of undying loyalty was made to her mother-in-law, Naomi. But in this pledge “she speaks the language of one resolved for God and heaven.”

“Whither thou goest, I will go.” This is the commitment a man must make in a changing world. We cannot foresee the future. We cannot know all the ways that God will lead us. But we can pledge ourselves to follow.

“Where thou lodgest, I will lodge.” We cannot always choose the place but through consecration we can always choose the Companion.

“Thy people shall be my people.” When we take God, we take His people for our people. They are not always rich, or cultured, or wise. But because they are His people they choose the place but through consecration we can always are good and loving and devoted. I need that kind of companions — His people shall be my people.

Where Thou dost choose, there “will I die, and there will I be buried.” In our consecration we resolve that death itself shall not separate us from our duty to Christ. Having done this, we may be sure that even death cannot separate us from our happiness in Him.

“My God.” It is to Him that my consecration is made.

Prayer For Today

Thou, God, shalt be my God. I love Thee. I worship Thee. I shall be faithful to Thee so long as life shall last. This, O God, is my prayer of consecration. I have made my choice forever. I reaffirm it today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.