Love and Acceptance

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

Love is a wonderful and mysterious force imparted to us by God and gloriously shared by his people to degrees that are beyond our own comprehension. Ruth was from Moab and of a race that was detested by Israel, however that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not the only people God loved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know Him and this was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew. Through Him, the entire world can come to know God. Acts 10:35 says that "God accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." God accepts all who worship him; He works through people regardless of where they come from. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God's impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, gender or national background. And God can use every circumstance to build his kingdom. Believe it and accept that you are worthy. God bless you, J.H.